Military Dogs in San Diego: A Care Gap Revealed

The Department of Defense’s Inspector General released findings that expose serious shortcomings in the care of military working dogs across San Diego County.

Key Findings

• Extreme Weather Exposure
• Two bases—Naval Base San Diego and Marine Corps Air Station Miramar—recorded 30 days above 85 °F and 94 days below 45 °F.

• Dogs were housed in open‑air enclosures with chain‑link walls and metal roofs that allowed extreme temperatures to penetrate.

• Water Damage & Disease Risk
• Kennel masters at Camp Pendleton and Naval Base San Diego reported rain and poor drainage leaving dogs soaking wet.

• Wet conditions caused waste to back up, exposing animals to fecal matter and elevating disease risk.

• Giardiasis Outbreaks
• A supplier sent dogs already infected with Giardiasis.
• Camp Pendleton experienced two outbreaks, and some imported dogs had histories of heat‑related injuries.

Base Responses

National Scope

• The report also examined the Air Force’s main dog training center in Texas and 12 other bases for “non‑training status” dogs.
• Many facilities failed to provide the required five hours of daily enrichment (physical, social, cognitive).
• Kennel quality fell short in several locations.

Critical Questions

The Inspector General questions whether the Air Force’s oversight adequately protects these animals. The discrepancy between policy and practice raises concerns about:

• Extreme weather protection
• Disease exposure
• Enrichment and mental stimulation

These findings underscore a pressing need for tighter standards and consistent enforcement across all military bases.