• Thanks for stopping by. Logging in to a registered account will remove all generic ads. Please reach out with any questions or concerns.

US soldier launches puppy off a cliff

Marine expelled, another punished over puppy video By AUDREY McAVOY, Associated Press Writer
23 minutes ago



HONOLULU - The Marine Corps on Wednesday said it was expelling one Marine and disciplining another for their roles in a video showing a Marine throwing a puppy off a cliff while on patrol in Iraq.

The 17-second video posted on YouTube drew sharp condemnation from animal rights groups when it came to light in March.

The clip shows two Marines joking before one hurls the puppy into a rocky gully. A yelping sound is heard as it flips through the air.

"That's mean. That's mean, Motari," an off-camera Marine is heard telling the Marine who tossed the black and white dog. The off-camera Marine snickered slightly afterward.

Lance Cpl. David Motari, assigned to the 1st Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment at Kaneohe Bay, is "being processed for separation" from the Marine Corps, the Marine Corps said in a news release. He also received unspecified "non-judicial punishment."

The Marine Corps didn't specify what role Motari played in the clip.

The video was viewed tens of thousands of times before YouTube took it down due to a violation of the site's terms of use.

"The actions seen in the Internet video are contrary to the high standards we expect of every Marine and will not be tolerated," Marine Corps Base Hawaii said in a news release. "The vast majority of Marines conduct their duties with honor and compassion that makes American people proud."

The second Marine, Sgt. Crismarvin Banez Encarnacion also received unspecified "non-judicial" punishment.

Encarnacion is assigned to the Weapons and Field Training Battalion, Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego.

It wasn't clear what role Encarnacion played in the video. Marine Corps Base Hawaii declined to take phone calls about its press release and directed all questions be submitted by e-mail.

Marine Corps public affairs offices in Hawaii and San Diego didn't immediately return e-mail messages requesting clarification.

The Marine Corps said the Privacy Act prevented it from releasing details about the disciplinary measures the two men received.

 
Serves him right for being such a jacka$$.  Wasn't thinking that puppy would/could be career ending, was he?  Jacka$$  Sometimes ya wonder what people are thinking. ???
 
Here's a bit more of the USMC's side of the story - .pdf scan of statement attached below:

Marines in puppy video disciplined
Marine Corps Base Hawaii Statement, 11 Jun 08

MARINE CORPS BASE HAWAII, Oahu – The Marine Corps has disciplined two Marines for their involvement in a video that showed a Marine throwing a puppy off a cliff while on patrol in Iraq.

Lance Corporal David Motari received Non-Judicial Punishment from the commanding officer of 1st Battalion, 3d Marine Regiment and is being processed for separation from the Marine Corps for his role in the episode, which gained international attention March 3 after the video was posted on the Internet. Please direct questions regarding Motari to the Public Affairs Officer at Marine Corps Base Hawaii mcbh.pao.fct@usmc.mil. 

Sergeant Crismarvin Banez Encarnacion, Weapons and Field Training Battalion, Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego, also received Non-Judicial Punishment.  For questions regarding Encarnacion, contact the MCRD SD PAO at mcrdsd-pao-media.fct@usmc.mil.

The results of Non-Judicial Punishment are not releasable according to the Privacy Act. 

The Marine Corps conducted a thorough investigation as soon as it learned of the event and acted as swiftly as possible. The actions seen in the Internet video are contrary to the high standards we expect of every Marine and will not be tolerated. The vast majority of Marines conduct their duties with honor and compassion that makes American people proud

Here is a link to a story of a Marine rescuing a dog from Iraq: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/23295271/. People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals gave the Marine an award for compassion just last month.

Here is a NY Times article about an Iraqi girl who received life-saving medical care in the States as a result of efforts by the Marines: http://www.nytimes.com/2008/03/10/world/middleeast/10iraq.html?ref=middleeas

If you want to voice a comment or concern regarding this incident, we encourage you to visit our Web site at www.mcbh.usmc.mil and leave your comment or concern by clicking the mcbh.pao.fct@nmci.usmc.mil e-mail link. Incoming statements and comments will be compiled in a database for use in this situation.
 
Quick question reference "wording".Is seperation=release or will he be shipped off to a infantry batallion i.e seperated from the Marines?
 
X-mo-1979 said:
Quick question reference "wording".Is seperation=release or will he be shipped off to a infantry batallion i.e seperated from the Marines?

USMC is not in the habbit of passing off it's problems to someone else.
Separation is like.... Ahhh.... Bye, bye.  Like a Divorce 8)
 
X-mo-1979 said:
Quick question reference "wording".Is seperation=release or will he be shipped off to a infantry batallion i.e seperated from the Marines?

"Separated" is a generic word that means a servicemember is being discharged. There are three components to a discharge, the type of discharge, the separation code (specific reason why the member is being separated, and the reenlistment code.
 
Red 6 said:
"Separated" is a generic word that means a servicemember is being discharged. There are three components to a discharge, the type of discharge, the separation code (specific reason why the member is being separated, and the reenlistment code.

I guess the sanitized term for "kicked outta the service" - thanks for that!
 
milnewstbay said:
If you want to voice a comment or concern regarding this incident, we encourage you to visit our Web site at www.mcbh.usmc.mil and leave your comment or concern by clicking the mcbh.pao.fct@nmci.usmc.mil e-mail link. Incoming statements and comments will be compiled in a database for use in this situation.

This part intrigued me, so I dropped the e-mail address a quick line with the following:

"Just wanted to let you know that as a former military service member (Canadian Reserves, Infantry, 11 years), I am impressed with the USMC's response to the puppy video.

While the video, and attendant media coverage, may still have reinforced some negative and false stereotypes about the military in general, I feel the organization responded quickly, firmly and transparently in this incident.  Justice must not only be done, but SEEN to be done.

I hope this doesn't generate too much more undue workload for you and your team."

It'd be interesting to know how the info they collect is used...
 
Back
Top