Trump honours military dog wounded in ISIS raid

(From left) United States President Donald Trump, Vice-President Mike Pence, a handler and First Lady Melania Trump with military service dog Conan at the White House on Monday. PHOTO: BLOOMBERG
(From left) United States President Donald Trump, Vice-President Mike Pence, a handler and First Lady Melania Trump with military service dog Conan at the White House on Monday. PHOTO: BLOOMBERG

WASHINGTON • The military dog that chased a terrorist to his death last month has recovered from its wounds and has since gone on "very important raids", US President Donald Trump said on Monday as he stood near the dog during an appearance in the Rose Garden.

"I actually think Conan knew exactly what was going on," Mr Trump said, referring to the night-time raid late last month which led to the death of Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, leader of the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria (ISIS).

Mr Trump praised the dog during the event, even as he faced criticism over his extraordinary interference in the military justice system and overruling of a civilian military leader in the case against Chief Petty Officer Edward Gallagher, a Navy Seal. Gallagher was convicted of posing for photographs with the body of an American-held teenage ISIS captive. Mr Trump ordered the Pentagon not to remove Gallagher from the elite unit.

"The dog is incredible. We spent some good time with it. So brilliant, so smart," Mr Trump said.

He had not disclosed the name of the dog until Monday, though he shared photographs and praised it in the days immediately after the raid. The President also shared a doctored photo of himself putting a medal around Conan's neck.

Mr Trump and Conan appeared in the Rose Garden with Vice-President Mike Pence, First Lady Melania Trump and a handler. "Conan is a tough cookie," Mr Trump said.

He added that he had asked how fast Conan could run. "I said, 'What chance would a strong man have, a really strong, tough fighter? What chance would this person have against Conan without the guns? What chance?'" Mr Trump said his question was answered immediately: "He would have no chance. So that's amazing. And yet you see how beautiful and how calm they are in a situation like this."

Mr Trump said that dogs like Conan have a six-year career and that Conan would not be retiring soon. "They are very hard to get, this particular dog. This is the ultimate fighter, ultimate everything."

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A version of this article appeared in the print edition of The Straits Times on November 27, 2019, with the headline Trump honours military dog wounded in ISIS raid. Subscribe