Two Abu Ghraib dog handlers on trial

Pending the release of the blog-frenzy-inspiring second set of photos from Abu Ghraib (and inevitable pressure for new prosecutions), the military justice system believes there remain only two individuals to charge for the abuses committed there, both dog handlers.



Yesterday, Sgts. Santos A. Cardona and Michael Smith faced charges of dereliction of duty and maltreatment of detainees, for their campaign to intimidate prisoners with their German shepard dogs. According to military investigators, the two had a running contest in which they threatened detainees with their unmuzzled dogs, to see who could make more wet themselves.

In total, only seven low-ranking, most reservist, some Military Police and Military Intelligence, were blamed for the abuses seen in photos at Abu Ghraib. (And Brigadier General Janis Karpinski, in charge of the prison, was demoted.)