Federal report says San Diego County military bases failed to adequately care for their working dogs
San Diego County military bases have failed to provide proper shelter and care for many of their working canines, periodically exposing the dogs to extreme weather and potential infections, according to a new report by the Inspector General of the Department of Defense.
The problem was especially acute at Naval Base San Diego and Marine Corps Air Station Miramar, which each experienced 30 days when temperatures were above 85 degrees and 94 days when they were below 45 degrees during the 2021-2024 time period, the report says.
The dogs at those “locations were housed in an open-air facility with chain-link outer walls and a corrugated metal roof and were exposed to extreme weather …” the report says.
The study adds that kennel masters at Camp Pendleton and Naval Base San Diego told reviewers that dogs were subject to getting “wet due to rain and standing water from inadequate shelter and drainage.” The situation caused solid waste to back up in the kennels, exposing dogs to fecal matter.
The report further says that a military supplier provided the three bases with dogs that were infected with highly contagious Giardiasis, which causes intestinal distress in the dogs, including vomiting and weight loss. Camp Pendleton suffered two Giardiasis outbreaks. Some of the imported dogs also had histories of heat-related injuries.
The three San Diego County bases are aware of the Inspector General’s report, and each separately told the Union-Tribune that their canine care is far better than depicted in the report.
The study primarily focuses on whether the Air Force, which presides over the training of all military work dogs, provided a high standard of care at its main facility in Texas and 12 bases in other parts of the country. Reviewers confined their research to so-called non-training status dogs. The title refers to canines that are awaiting deployment, undergoing medical evaluation, being reviewed for deficiencies or leaving the service.
Reviewers evaluated whether the dogs “received sufficient physical activity, social, and cognitive enrichment during their training day activities,” the report says. They also examined health care and the condition of kennels.
The report cites a widespread failure to provide dogs with “5 hours per day of physical activity, social, and cognitive enrichment as required by Department of the Air Force.” There were also many problems with the quality of the kennels.
The three San Diego area bases addressed the matter in statements to the Union-Tribune.
“We are committed to providing the high standard of care our Military Working Dogs deserve, a responsibility we don’t take lightly,” said Naval Base San Diego. “Our kennel facilities are inspected twice a year, most recently in October 2025 with no major concerns noted. Also, veterinarians inspect our canines and facilities quarterly, most recently in January with satisfactory findings. We’ll continue to evaluate our canine care and the condition of our kennel facilities, making improvements as appropriate.”
Marine Corps Air Station Miramar said, “The safety and security of our Marines, sailors, civilian personnel, families, and surrounding community remain a foremost priority at MCAS Miramar. This includes the welfare of our Military Working Dogs.
“Our Military Working Dogs are housed in an indoor-outdoor kennel facility, which consists of doors that are manually operated and can be opened or closed depending on weather conditions. When we have inclement weather in San Diego, these doors are closed to protect our animals inside. The facility has a robust drainage system to maintain a clean and dry environment, removing all water and waste. Additionally, the facility also has overhead ventilation systems to circulate air and expel heat with a thermometer that is monitored to ensure a safe and optimal environment for our animals.”
Camp Pendleton said the base “remains committed to the health, safety, and welfare of our Military Working Dogs. In early 2025, the Camp Pendleton Military Working Dog kennel relocated to a new facility. This facility includes climate-controlled indoor kennel space, allowing the dogs to remain protected from severe weather and temperature fluctuations. The exterior of the kennel is also covered with tarps that can be raised or lowered as needed during inclement weather to provide additional protection from the elements.
“All dogs identified with Giardiasis had contracted the illness prior to their arrival at Camp Pendleton. These dogs were treated accordingly upon receipt. At this time, no Military Working Dogs at Camp Pendleton are suffering from Giardiasis.
“Additionally, the conditions referenced in the report regarding rain exposure and solid waste backups do not reflect operations at Camp Pendleton. The facility has also received recent improvements. New turf and a sunshade were installed in October 2025 to further enhance the environment and comfort of the dogs.”