A discussion on the internet about the legitimacy of dogs participating in the military parade on Tuesday in connection with the heat that prevailed that day. Even before noon – as Lieutenant Colonel Magdalena Busz from the General Command of the Armed Forces said on TVN24 – it was not certain. On Wednesday, the General Command of the RSZ issued a communiqué on this matter. It was reported that the animals had a place to rest in the shade, constant access to water, and the temperature of the asphalt was constantly monitored and cooled down several times before the march.
The culminating point of this year’s central celebrations of the Polish Army Day was the military parade that took place along the Wisłostrada in Warsaw. About two thousand soldiers took part in it. Over 200 military vehicles and almost a hundred aircraft were presented.
Questions about the safety of dogs during the parade
On Tuesday, the whole country, including Warsaw, was hot and the temperature exceeded 30 degrees. Therefore, questions arose on the Internet about the legitimacy – in such weather conditions – of the participation of dogs in the parade. Internet users raised, among other things, the issue of their safety – that the dogs were muzzled and had no protection on their paws against hot asphalt.
The photos recorded by TVN24 show that the dogs whose march was recorded were not wearing muzzles.
Participation of dogs in the military parade on May 15TVN24
However, as TVN24 reporter Artur Molęda showed on Tuesday during his reports, the asphalt was poured with water by the fire brigade present on site.
TVN24 reporter Artur Molęda on the participation of dogs in the military parade (report from Tuesday)TVN24
Until the end it was not certain whether the dogs would participate in the parade
Even before the parade, on Tuesday morning, Lieutenant Colonel Magdalena Busz from the General Command of the Branches of the Armed Forces said in an interview with Artur Molęda that it was not certain whether the dogs would take part in the parade due to the heat.
– We have our veterinarian on site, the dogs have such special pads on their paws, we pour asphalt there, but the decision will be made before the parade. We do not want to expose them to any danger – she said on TVN24.
Until the end it was not certain whether the dogs would participate in the paradeTVN24
General Command about the conditions for the participation of animals in the parade
The participation of dogs in Tuesday’s parade was referred to by the General Command of the Polish Army on Wednesday.
“The safety and well-being of all four-legged soldiers during the ‘Strong White-Red’ parade was supervised by military veterinarians from the Military Center for Preventive Medicine – Modlin and the Military Center for Pharmacy and Medical Technology – Celestynów” – it was written on Twitter.
As added, dogs and horses had a place to rest in the shade, constant access to water, and the temperature of the asphalt was constantly monitored and cooled down several times before the march.
“The sub-unit of guides with dogs joined the formation at the last moment before marching out and was detached from the column right after passing the stands. The process of moving animals was also supervised” – assured the General Command.
It was argued that the animals were properly hydrated and protected against the effects of heat. “Immediately after the parade and in the evening they were checked again and no damage to their health was found” – noted DG RSZ.
“After the ceremony, all of them safely returned to their units. These are service animals that are specially selected and, in the course of daily service, prepared to operate in a diverse, sometimes also difficult environment” – noted the General Command.
Main photo source: TVN24