Veteran's service dog and former MWD shot in Wyoming...did this story have to end in tragedy?

2015-10-17T11:42:36-04:00

Combat dog who earned Bronze Stars in Iraq shot and killed in Wyoming. Published October 17, 2015

http://www.foxnews.com/us/2015/10/17/combat-dog-who-earned-bronze-stars-in-iraq-shot-and-killed-in-wyoming/?intcmp=hphz10

A bomb-sniffing combat dog named Mike survived two tours of duty in Iraq but not the streets of a bucolic little town in Wyoming.

The 9-year-old Belgian Malinois was shot and killed in Powell last Saturday by a bicyclist who said he was attacked, leaving Mike’s devastated owner Matthew Bessler, a retired Army Ranger, wondering how he is going to deal with his combat-related injuries alone.

“I raised him as a puppy, and the ability he has to sense some of the issues that I have with seizures, with my PTSD (post traumatic stress disorder), my TBI (traumatic brain injury) and severe anxiety disorders, how he can calm me down just by being in my presence,” Besseler told the Billings Gazette Friday. “He can help take the focus and help change the focus of what’s going on with me and help me calm down or relax me.”

Bessler, a 20-year Army vet, served six tours in Iraq with the 10th Special Forces Group out of Fort Carson, Colorado, with Mike his inseparable partner on two of those tours.

Their work detecting explosives and hunting insurgents over a 16-month period earned the pair two Bronze Stars,--one of military’s highest accolades, according to the Army, which profiled Bessler and Mike last July.

Their partnership lasted until one day Mike stopped sniffing for explosives, the Army said.
Bessler, 43, took the dog to a military vet in Baghdad who proscribed Prozac to calm the dog’s anxiety.

In 2010 they both came home with PTSD and according to Bessler, Mike’s is the Army’s first and only case.

In Powell, Mike became a service dog for Bessler, trained to anticipate and interrupt Bessler’s anxiety and darkest moods, usually by climbing on top of him or dropping a tennis ball in his lap, the Washington Post reported in a profile of the pair that also ran in July.
The paper reported that after then Republican presidential candidate Rick Perry saw the story, he called and offered to fund the cost of Bessler’s treatment at a Texas brain center.

His first question was about his dog, “Can I bring Mike?”

Bessler was hunting in the Bighorn Mountains when Mike was shot.

The bicyclist, 59, told the Park County Sheriff’s Office he was attacked by “German shepherd-looking dog” in an encounter in the road, the Powell Tribune reported. Authorities say somehow the dog got loose from Bessler's yard.

According to the account he gave deputies, he fended off the dog using his bicycle, and then grabbed a revolver from his bicycle-mounted holster, and shot the dog.
“Essentially, if you feel your life is in danger or threatened by an animal, you can act against it,” Park County Sheriff Scott Steward told the paper Wednesday.

Bessler questions the bicyclist’s account, saying the dog was shot in the rear. “He has his story,” he told the Tribune. “I know my dog. I have my story.”

With the loss so fresh Bessler told the Gazette he had trouble coming up with specific memories of his four-legged friend.

“I mean, it’s way too soon,” he told the paper. “I mean, it’s every time I see him everywhere that I go. Because he was, he was with me almost everywhere I went and he was always playing and he was always ... he always wanted to play and everybody loved him. Everybody could pet him.” Bessler said.

Bessler added jokingly, “nobody had problems with him unless they had a ball.”

Combat dog who earned Bronze Stars in Iraq shot and killed in Wyoming

A bomb-sniffing combat dog named Mike survived two tours of duty in Iraq but not the streets of a bucolic little town in Wyoming.

Response by LTC Stephen F. made Oct 17 at 2015 11:46 AM

2015-10-17T11:46:09-04:00

That was very sad news SSG Byron Hewett. Since the bomb-sniffing combat dog named Mike was shot in the back I suspect foul play by the bicyclist who shot him.
Mike was the first combat trained dog to be diagnosed with PTSD along with his handler Matthew Bessler.

Response by MSgt Curtis Ellis made Oct 17 at 2015 11:54 AM

2015-10-17T11:54:10-04:00

Not sure how to respond to this...

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 17 at 2015 12:12 PM

2015-10-17T12:12:16-04:00

SSG Byron Hewett There are people who shoot dogs for sport. The information that the dog was shot from behind is highly suspicious. Maybe the authorities there should look into this matter closer. An additional thought, Why would someone going out for a bike ride be carrying a weapon and did that person have a conceal and carry permit?

Response by SSG Byron Hewett made Oct 17 at 2015 12:37 PM

2015-10-17T12:37:06-04:00

My deepest sympathy and condolences to SSG Bessler for the lose of his best friend and Battle Buddy.

Response by 1stSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 17 at 2015 2:54 PM

2015-10-17T14:54:06-04:00

That sucks. Semper Fidelis, Mike and Matthew Bessler

Response by LCDR Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 17 at 2015 3:43 PM

2015-10-17T15:43:59-04:00

It really sucks but if he was off the leash and someone felt threatened I can't really blame the cyclist. I don't think it was malicious intent.

I can say from experience with my two dogs, they look like they are attacking and charge at people, other dogs, etc. When they get there all they do is lick you, but I can understand being afraid of them (even though they are 25 pounds each).

Response by SSG Warren Swan made Oct 17 at 2015 9:00 PM

2015-10-17T21:00:12-04:00

I've read a few articles on this, and while I feel sorrow for both of them, the dog is in a much better place, and now the attention needs to focus on the remaining Soldier. I hope he can get the help he needs to keep up the good fight.

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Oct 18 at 2015 2:15 PM

2015-10-18T14:15:51-04:00

It is hard to lose a friend like that. Infinitely hard.

Response by SFC Joe S. Davis Jr., MSM, DSL made Oct 18 at 2015 2:26 PM

2015-10-18T14:26:51-04:00

SSG Byron Hewett I hate to hear of this tragic story may, Mike rest in peace, and I honor his DUTY HONOR COUNTRY SELFLESS SERVICE.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 18 at 2015 4:45 PM

2015-10-18T16:45:19-04:00

Terribly tragic! I have a service dog as well, my wife and I rescued him from a shelter as an abused pup. Long before I was diagnosed with PTSD and Neuro-cardio vassavagal Suncope (I just pass out n drop), Maxwell (A BLack Sheperd/Border Collie Mix, now 4.5 yrs and due to test out of the Service Dog Training Program at Brothers and Sisters In Arms, Leesville/Ft Polk, LA) was already a major part of the family! He knew something was wrong with me before I did! We found out we were pregnant with our 2 children because of him and how he behaved... The second (our son) was terribly complicated! Maxwell didn't eat, play or anything... We then found out about the complications. The Cet said he was perfectly healthy but severely under weight... He didn't recover until my wife and son finally came back from the hospital and NICU, after 5 months!!!

Now he's my full-tune wingman! I just don't know how I could deal if something happened to him line this!!!

Prayers for coping! GODSPEED to Mike!

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Oct 18 at 2015 5:43 PM

2015-10-18T17:43:44-04:00

One year I was a geographic bachelor at Ft Riley and I had PTSD. I had a green cheeked conure which is one of the smallest parrots in the world. I did not know the sex so I called it Baby. Baby was my company as he would fly to me, or look for me to land on my shoulders. I would eat my meals and placed food on his dish, and we had many dinner dates. When I needed a nap he would snuggle under my chin and sleep with me.

He was such a gentle parrot and was a joy to be around. I did not know it but his maker called for him. I don't know if it was coincidence, but I gave him a lot of attention the week before he died. I know he knew I loved him. I was devastated and I was heartbroken, as my love for Baby ran deep. He was special alright.

Response by PO3 Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 19 at 2015 8:12 AM

2015-10-19T08:12:20-04:00

... sigh ... RIP.

Response by CPL Lane Bailey made Oct 19 at 2015 12:15 PM

2015-10-19T12:15:15-04:00

I'm so sorry for your lose and hope you find a way to deal with your injuries the guy that shot this war hero should be prosecuted and given a sentence that reflects his crime.

Response by SFC Joseph Weber made Oct 19 at 2015 10:41 PM

2015-10-19T22:41:19-04:00

I'd think the bicyclist could have rode off instead of pulling his gun and shooting the dog in the back.

Response by PO1 John Miller made Nov 12 at 2015 5:09 AM

2015-11-12T05:09:12-05:00

Thanks for sharing. I've got a soft spot for dogs, so this one hit home for me. I'd like to see the full details of that investigation. Somehow I have a nagging doubt that a service dog would just randomly attack a bicyclist.

Response by MAJ Alvin B. made Nov 12 at 2015 5:21 AM

2015-11-12T05:21:41-05:00

May he rest in peace. I have known many military and police K9 and working dog handlers. The loss of their Canine partner is never easy.

Response by PO3 Steven Sherrill made Nov 12 at 2015 9:08 AM

2015-11-12T09:08:09-05:00

2LT Tom Waters This is a terrible story. I am glad that the dog is receiving what any soldier should in death.

Something fishy about the whole thing. Though a military dog with PTSD may have attacked if he recognized the gun as a threat.

The only thing good I can say about this is that the dog is no longer suffering from PTSD. He is at peace. Nothing but chasing tennis balls for him now.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 12 at 2015 10:54 AM

2015-11-12T10:54:17-05:00

Glad to see how this heart-breaker ended. GODSPEED MAJ MIKE!

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 13 at 2015 2:57 AM

2015-11-13T02:57:02-05:00

Thanks for Sharing

Response by MSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 13 at 2015 10:26 AM

2015-11-13T10:26:10-05:00

I want to see the Invstigation Details on this. It sounds sort of fishy.

Fair Winds and Floowing Seas, Major Mike.

Response by SSG Byron Hewett made Nov 13 at 2015 3:32 PM

2015-11-13T15:32:47-05:00

rest in peace Major Mike and may Heaven's Angles throw you lots of tennis balls and a few bones to chew on - esprit de corps and semper fi

Response by SSG Warren Swan made Nov 13 at 2015 3:39 PM

2015-11-13T15:39:41-05:00

RIP MAJ Mike. And thanks for protecting your Soldier to the end. I hope he gets another dog not to replace MAJ Mike, but to follow on what MAJ Mike had done, and that was give some normalcy and peace to his Soldier. "Who said he had a revolver holstered to his bike so he could shoot deadly rattlesnakes in the area"...I would LOVE to hear an explanation on this. Granted it could be true, so I'll give it an open ear, but the other ear is hearing bullsh*t.

Response by SSG Byron Hewett made Nov 14 at 2015 11:43 AM

2015-11-14T11:43:09-05:00

I'm glad to hear that Major Mike was given a full Honors Funeral he deserved the best.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 30 at 2015 8:00 PM

2015-11-30T20:00:30-05:00

Tragic.

Response by SP5 Michael Rathbun made Nov 30 at 2015 8:20 PM

2015-11-30T20:20:40-05:00

I don't think "deserved to die" has anything to do with it.

When I could still be an active cyclist, there were lots of non-lethal ways of dealing with animals that you encounter that appear hostile. And if he's worried about large carnivores, that piece had best be something like an M1911.