Printed from https://fyi.org.nz/request/12454-use-and-rights-of-dogs-in-service on November 04, 2025 22:11

Use and Rights of Dogs in Service

D Gounder made this Official Information request to Ministry of Defence

The request was successful.

From: D Gounder

Dear Ministry of Defence,

I would like further information on the classification, status and role of dogs utilised by the Ministry of Defence for my Masters research paper.

Could I please have the following information:

1) How many dogs are utilised in military service currently and also in the last five years?

2) How many dogs are currently deployed overseas?

3) What is the current status of military dogs for the Ministry of Defence? Are they classified as soldiers, weapons or equipment?

4) Are there any orders, laws or regulations providing dogs with protection during their service in armed conflict situations?

5) How long do dogs have to be trained before service?

6) Are there vets on hand when dogs are deployed with soldiers in armed conflict situations?

7) What happens to dogs who are to old, injured or unfit for service?

8) Are there any dogs who have been captured during service? If yes, what was the procedure followed and the outcome?

Thank you for this information - it will be invaluable for my research paper.

Yours faithfully,

D Gounder

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From: Information
Ministry of Defence

Dear D Gounder,

Thank you for your Official Information Act request to the Ministry of Defence. The New Zealand Defence Force is responsible for military dogs, and as such, is best placed to respond to your request. We have transferred your request to the NZDF and they will respond directly to you in due course.

Kind regards,
Ministry of Defence

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From: Ministerial Services

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Dear D Grounder,

 

With reference to your request for information below, your request is more
closely associated with the operations of the New Zealand Defence Force
(NZDF) and was transferred accordingly.  The Ministry of Defence is
primarily responsible for the development of defence policy and the
acquisition of major equipment for the NZDF.

 

The availability of personnel required to provide a response to these
questions has been strongly affected by the NZDF’s involvement in the
all-of-government response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

 

A response to your request will be provided as soon as practicable, noting
this may require more than 40 working days, as consultations necessary to
make a decision on the request are such that a proper response cannot
reasonably be made within the original time limit.

 

You have the right under section 28(3) of the Official Information Act
1982 to ask an Ombudsman to review this decision to extend the timeframe.

 

Regards

 

 

Corporate and Ministerial Services

OCDF, Office of Chief of Defence Force
New Zealand Defence Force

[3]www.nzdf.mil.nz

[4]cid:image001.png@01D60C1A.4AAC7EF0

 

 

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From: Ministerial Services

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Good afternoon D Gounder,
 
Please find attached a response to your request for information that was
transferred to the New Zealand Defence Force.
 
Regards
 
Corporate and Ministerial Services
OCDF, Office of Chief of Defence Force
New Zealand Defence Force
[1]www.nzdf.mil.nz
 
 
 
 
The information contained in this Internet Email message is intended for
the addressee only and may contain privileged information, but not
necessarily the official views or opinions of the New Zealand Defence
Force.  If you are not the intended recipient you must not use, disclose,
copy or
distribute this message or the information in it.  If you have received
this message in error, please Email or telephone the sender immediately.

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