Remember animals who served also, bishop urges: The Church of England Newspaper, Nov 19, 2010 p 6.

First published in The Church of England Newspaper.

The Bishop of Monmouth has urged Britain to remember the animal as well as the human casualties of war at Remembrance services.

Bishop Dominic Walker of Monmouth, who also serves as vice-president of the RSPCA, noted that “animals have been used to carry troops and equipment, to pull gun carriages and supplies, and, along with the men they have served, millions have died of wounds, starvation, thirst, exhaustion, disease, and exposure.”

The bishop urged Christians to “remember the millions of animals that suffered and died in military action or as a result of warfare, and to pray for the animals that are still suffering today.”

Over eight million horses died in World War I, while dolphins are in service today in the Persian Gulf in detecting mines, the bishop noted. An estimated 16 million animals served during the First World War by 1916, with the Axis and Allied powers raising 103 cavalry divisions that used over a million horses, while mules, elephants, camels, oxen, dogs, pigeons and other animals have been used as beast of burden or to transport messages.

“It is a sad fact of animal welfare that whenever human beings and animals come into contact, so often it is to the detriment of the animals, and  yet there is a common bond between humans and animals,” the bishop said.

“Nevertheless, animals rarely get a mention in prayers in our churches, even on Harvest Festival, let along Remembrance Sunday.

“Animal welfare should be on the Church’s agenda, not least because of its global impact, but also because animals matter to God,” Bishop Walker said.