June 18, 2008

Two U.S. Marines have been disciplined for their involvement in throwing a puppy down a cliff while on patrol in Iraq. (Photo Courtesy of YouTube)

NEW YORK -- Administrative action has been taken by the Marine Corps against two Marines, where one will be discharged and the other disciplined, for their roles in a video documenting a puppy being thrown off a cliff while on patrol in Iraq.

The 17-second video -- posted on YouTube March 3 -- drew instant international attention, spawning the ire of animal rights groups and an immediate investigation by the Marine Corps.

With the “thorough” and “swift” investigation concluded, Lance Corporal David Motari is “being processed for seperation” from the Marine Corps and Sergeant Crismarvin Banez Encarnacion has received a Non-Judicial Punishment, the Marine Corps released in a statement last week.

While the Marine Corps could not confirm the specific roles of each Marine in the recorded incident due to the Privacy Act, Motari is allegedly believed to be responsible for throwing the black and white puppy as the action is purportedly filmed by Encarnacian, who ducks on camera briefly, and is then heard saying “that’s mean. That’s mean, Motari.”

The same day the video was posted, it was removed from YouTube in violation of the site’s terms and conditions, but not before it acquired tens of thousands of views.

Motari, assigned to the 1st Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment at Kaneohe Day, Hawaii, also received an unspecified NJP in addition to being expelled from the Corps.

The characterization of Motari’s discharge is private since it -- like the Non-Judicial Punishment both Marines received -- is not releasable as an administrative action.

But under an NJP, the commanding officer can award punishment up to 60 days of restriction, 45 days of extra duties, forfeiture of one-half pay for up to two months and reduction in rank by one grade, Marine Corps Base spokesman 1st Lt. Binford Strickland told Pet Pulse.

When the incident actually occurred is unknown, but it is believed to have taken place at some point during 22-year-old Motari’s seven month deployment in Iraq which concluded October 2007.

Motari, who enlisted December 2004, also served with the same regiment in Afghanistan. His awards include the Marine Corps Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, the Afghanistan Campaign Medal, the Iraq Campaign Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, two Combat Action Ribbons and two Sea Service Deployment Ribbons.

Encarnacion is attached to the Weapons and Field Training Battalion, Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego.

In March, Cpt. Binstock, a media officer for the Division of Public Affairs at the Marines' Pentagon headquarters, told Pet Pulse that the incident “was shocking, really devastating, and going against everything we stand for as Marines.”

The Marine Corps’ position that the video clip is not the norm for troop behavior is highlighted by recent stories of Marines like Maj. Brian Dennis and former Lt. Col. Jay Kopelman going to extraordinary lengths to save, befriend and bring dogs back to the United States.

To view Pet Pulse’s previous story, “Video Shows a U.S. Marine Throw a Puppy Down an Iraq Hillside,” visit http://www.zootoo.com

To view the original Pet Pulse editorial, visit http://www.zootoo.com

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