Fast and brutal: what it's like to be taken down by a Military Working Dog
As the Military Working Dog (MWD) Operational Capability Unit is deployed to RAF Akrotiri to bolster security at the base, we asked our reporters to share their experiences of being taken down by MWDs.
Their verdict? Fast and brutal. One said they'd never been hit so hard.
Sian Grzeszczyk Melbourne
The Ministry of Defence no longer allows civilians to experience what it’s like to be taken down by a military dog, and, after experiencing what it was like myself, I can understand why.
Many years ago the US Air Force allowed me to give it a try at RAF Feltwell in the UK. It remains one of the most painful, memorable and funniest experiences of my entire career.
Painful because the take down was so fast and so brutal. Funny because of the way I tried to run in the oversized suit and just how well Yyogi took me down!
The producer made me replay the takedown in slow motion for my report.
"TV gold," he said. And he was right, as that report has remained in our top 10 YouTube videos for eight years, amassing more than 3.6 million hits.
Let’s do several takes
I was very clear in the pre-filming chat I had with our cameraman, Lewis, that we could get Yyogi to take me down several times, allowing us to film from multiple angles.
I was full of naive enthusiasm.
When Yyogi, whose glittering CV included protecting President Barack Obama, did his worst, experiencing it once was more than enough for me.
Once I had caught my breath, I looked at Lewis and declared: "I think I’m good with that take."
Completely straight-faced, he replied: "Oh I thought that one was just a practice, I didn’t press record!"
I glared at him and then slowly grinned, realising that, thankfully, he was joking.
Yyogi the best
When we filmed this back in 2018, the American military working dogs based with the United States 48th Security Forces Squadron at RAF Feltwell and RAF Lakenheath in Norfolk were undergoing intense training.
That’s because they were always on standby to be sent on Secret Service missions. They protected presidents and were experts in detecting narcotics and explosives.
Nine-year-old Yyogi, whose worth they’d estimated to be at least $100,000, was one of their top dogs.
Weighing in at 74lb, there was no way this Belgian Malinois was going to let any suspect go. I had watched him take some of the dog handlers down in training scenarios and each time he did his job perfectly. It was quite a sight to behold.
Never mess with a military dog
Once kitted out in the massive suit, I waddled into the field and was then told to run. Even though I knew my fate, it was still a shock.
I thudded to the ground and will never forget the power of the grip Yyogi had on me – when you watch it you’ll see how long he holds on to me.
I walked away with some light bruising, but that was all. I was left imagining how horrendous it would have been had I not been wearing that protective suit.
A lot of people wondered why I hadn’t worn head protection, I seem to remember at the time they had offered it to me but I decided against it so I could do my piece to camera before starting the run.
With hindsight there’s no way I would have said no if I ever did it again, not that I would ever volunteer to experience this for a second time!
Tim Cooper
I remember putting on the massive protective suit and feeling quite smug about taking on the Belgian Malinois somewhere on Episkopi Garrison in Cyprus many years ago.
As instructed, I ran away from the massive dog and his handler. Once the animal was released, it was only a second or two until he'd caught me.
I’ve never been hit so hard by anything. It felt like an express train had smashed into me. The power of the dog was immense. There was no way I could have kept my feet.
The dog – as he was trained to do – took hold of me by the lower arm and despite the huge, padded protection suit I still came away with bruises.
Then I was made to do it three more times, to get "different angles" according to my sadistic cameraman, who was enjoying my discomfort.
I left that day's filming thinking that if I ever found myself up against any form of protection dog, I'd do what I was told.
Claire Sadler
Three months in Afghanistan in 2010 on Op Herrick 11 was, at times, a test of endurance. I accepted a general level of discomfort as part of daily life – patrols in the heat, endless dust, sometimes even sleeping outdoors wedged into a line of troops. I like to think I embraced it all. But there was one moment of truly questionable judgement: agreeing to be taken down by a Military Working Dog.
With the benefit of hindsight, I do find myself asking – why on earth did I think that was a good idea? Curiosity, apparently, is a powerful force. I was extremely nervous, but also oddly keen.
The build-up was faintly ridiculous. I wrestled myself into this enormous, padded suit and helmet – designed for protection but also making any kind of athletic movement completely impossible. Looking back at the footage, I looked like a slightly distressed Teletubby as I attempted my escape at a brisk shuffle with my escaped radio mic dangling between my legs.
The anxiety started to build as I imagined the dog closing in.
I didn’t have to imagine it for long. The takedown was swift and deeply undignified. It grabbed my right arm and I went down hard, straight into the Afghan dirt, completely winded. There was no dignity left at that point - I was face down being dragged around.
The winded feeling passed quickly. What didn’t was whatever I’d done to my rib. Bruised? Broken? Who knows – but it hurt. A lot. Sleeping, turning, even breathing too enthusiastically came with consequences!
Would I do it again? No way. But I am glad I did it once.
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