An investigation by Youth Radio found that abuse within the Bahrain Military Working Dogs Division, or “The Kennel,” was kept silent while soldiers were continually exposed to humiliation, assault and harassment. The story also found that “U.S. Navy’s report on hazing in its Bahrain Canine Unit omitted the suicide of the unit’s leading Petty Officer, who feared she had become the scapegoat for widespread abuse.” Petty Officer Jennifer Valdivia took her life after finding herself at the center of the hazing investigation while “the unit’s Chief at the time, Michael Toussaint, received only a ‘non-punitive letter of caution.’” The President’s principal Naval advisor ordered a review of how the the abuses were handled. The report was due on October 6.
Abuse in Naval canine unit kept silent for years
Posted on October 7th, 2009
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