Dead Marine's Family Denied K-9

Posted by Joy Butler Nov 15, 2007

Lex is a military working dog whose handler, CPL Dustin Lee was killed in Iraq on March 21, 2007 in a grenade blast. Lex survived but received shrapnel wounds to his body and almost lost his tail , He still has shrapnel lodged near his spine which veterinarians say is best left alone rather than risk damage to the dog's spine. Even before his injuries, Lex was scheduled to be retired after his tour of duty in Iraq. CPL Lee's family, of Mississippi, has experience working with search and rescue dogs and wants very much to adopt the dog who was their son's partner and friend. Lex met them at the funeral but was whisked back to the kennels at MCLB Albany, Georgia. Despite his injuries and the shrapnel still in his back, the Marine Corp says Lex is needed to train other K9s and handlers. Many feel strongly that Rachel and Jerome Lee gave up their son to the Marine Corp and that the least the military can do is honor this couple with that last piece of their son's life. Considering Lex's injuries, he deserves retirement in a good home. A petition is circulating to help get Lex retired into Dustin's family. I signed it. Maybe you'd like to sign it too.