IDF probe into dog attack cites ‘ethically improper behavior’

An IDF investigation into the incident where troops used an attack dog to detain a Palestinian minor is presented to IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Gadi Eisenkot and Defense Minister Moshe Ya’alon, Haaretz reports.

The military intends to take disciplinary steps against the soldier who is heard on the video egging on the Oketz dog after he already clenches his teeth on the minor’s pant leg. A military police investigation into the incident has also been opened.

In 2012, the military stopped using dogs from Oketz, the only canine unit, to disperse demonstrations in the West Bank. The dogs are still used by small units to ambush fugitive suspects.

The report written up after the investigation into the footage of the case from December states the use of dogs “against rock throwers and disturbers of the peace” was “a severe incident of using dogs which shows low professional levels, inappropriate and unsatisfactory interpretation of the potential damage to the operation of commanders and ethically improper behavior.”