Croatia Donates Explosives Detection Dogs to Iraq to Support Training

Dugo Selo, Zagreb – Dog Handlers and EOD Detecting dogs at work in the Training Centre for Dog Handlers and Working Dogs "Captain Krešimir Ivošević."

BAGHDAD 16th December 2009 ––Croatia delivered six explosives detection dogs to Iraqi officers at the Baghdad International Airport Dec. 16.

The Iraqi Police, who will take the dogs and orient them to their new home here, accompanied the five German shepherds and one Belgian shepherd from the airport. The dogs were all trained in the same center in Dugo Selo, near Zagreb.

The contribution is part of the NTM-I donation program. NATO advisors work with the Iraqi government to identify training needs and coordinate requests for equipment and support through the security ministries.

Deputy Commander NTM-I, Italian Maj. Gen. Giuseppe Spinelli said, "I believe this is an important step forward in our effort to actively support the Iraqi Security Forces in their critical mission to protect the citizens by preventing terrorist attacks.”