Army dogs prepare for war mission

Lance Corporal Richard Cooksey and Figo are pleased with the new kennels

A team of army dogs and their handlers from Hampshire are about to be sent to Afghanistan and Iraq to search for roadside bombs and booby-traps.

The specially-trained dogs, from the Royal Army Veterinary Corps in Aldershot, have been described as "invaluable" on the front line.

The Ministry of Defence has spent £850,000 on 30 kennels with sleeping and exercise areas and climate control.

Last summer a dog handler and his dog were killed in action.

Lance Corporal Kenneth Rowe and his dog Sasha were killed during a search operation in northern Helmand Province.

Major Steve Leavis said: "Over the last six months both the dogs and the soldiers have undertaken extensive preparation for operations and they have been working extremely hard.

"I think I speak for both the unit and the soldiers when I say that they now want to get on and do their job and then come home again."

Military dogs sniff out bombs, guard army bases and carry out patrol duties

He said having new and better accommodation for the dogs is helping them to prepare better.

"The new climate-control kennels will help us to better regulate the temperature that the dogs live in, meaning the dogs work better as they're not too hot or cold," he said.

Lance Corporal Richard Cooksey is due to go to Iraq with Figo, a three-year-old Belgian Shepherd patrol dog.

"I'm looking forward to getting out to Iraq with him and building our relationship," he said.

"I think he's one of the best dogs here, but then I would say that.

"These new kennels are top-notch. The front part of each kennel is open to the elements but the dogs go through a hatch to a temperature-controlled pen, which is really good, especially in this cold weather."

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Army dogs go to Afghanistan