shoot any dog in combat areas. After 1942, the use of anti-tank dogs by the Red Army rapidly declined, and training schools were redirected to producing the more needed mine-seeking and delivery dogs. However, training of anti-tank dogs continued after World War II, until June 1996. Use by other countries The Imperial Japanese Army received about 25,000 dogs from their ally Germany and organized several dog training schools in Japan, and one in China at Nanjing. In 1943, U.S. forces considered using armed dogs against fortifications. The aim was for a dog to run into a bunker carrying a bomb, which would then be detonated by a timer. Dogs in this secret program were trained at Fort Belvoir. The dogs, called "demolition wolves", were taught to run to a bunker, enter it, and sit while waiting for a simulated explosion. Each dog carried a bomb strapped to its body in canvas pouches, as with the Russian method. The program was terminated on 17 December 1943 out of safety concerns. During the training, dogs often returned to the senders without entering the bunker or waiting there for supposed period of time which would have caused friendly casualties in a live fire situation. It was feared that in the actual battle, dogs would return much more often, scared by enemy fire. Attempts to continue the program in 1944 and 1945 failed. See also Anti-tank warfare Animal-borne bomb attacks Dogs in warfare Exploding animal Military animals as living bombs References External links Museum-Style Anti-Tank Dog Exhibit Photographs Собаки – истребители танков (Russian) Webarchive copy Abandoned military projects of the Soviet Union Dog, anti-tank Animal cruelty incidents Anti-tank weapons Combat occupations Military animals Military equipment of the Soviet Union Weapon guidance Working dogs Dogs in warfare