Dog video continues to vex Marines

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The Marine Corps continues to be dogged by the mysterious case of the video purporting to show a Marine in Iraq throwing a puppy off a cliff. The video caused a furor when it was posted on the Internet in early March.

The Marines involved were immediately identified as part of a unit based in Hawaii. An investigation was launched. This week, Marine Corps Base Hawaii issued a followup statement saying that the investigation continues. A spokesman said it is still unclear if the video is authentic or a hoax.

According to the statement, ‘There have been numerous stories of Marines adopting pets and sending them home from Iraq or helping to arrange life-saving medical care for Iraqi children. Those are the stories that exemplify what we stand for and how most Marines conduct their actions.’

The Marines invited anyone wanting to sound off about the dog case to visit their website and click on the e-mail link. The furor has embarrassed the Marine Corps.

After all, the corps has a dog -- a bulldog -- as its official mascot.

-- Tony Perry