Netherlands allegedly exports service dogs to Israel as "pets"

The Netherlands allegedly exports service dogs to Israel under regulations that treat them as pets, despite reported concerns raised by researchers that the animals may be used by the army. According to research group SOMO, 110 dogs have been exported since the start of the war in Gaza.

Dutch public broadcaster NOS reports that three Dutch companies are involved in the exports. All declined to comment. Two firms said they only export detection dogs, not service dogs. While it remains unclear how the animals are used once they arrive in Israel, concerns have been raised about the possibility that they are deployed in military operations.

The exports are permitted under existing regulations, which classify the dogs as civilian goods. This means they require only a veterinary certificate from the Dutch Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority (NVWA) and are subject to the same rules as pet animals. Previous efforts to tighten regulations were unsuccessful. In 2015, then-Minister for Foreign Trade and Development Cooperation Lilianne Ploumen sought to impose restrictions but was unable to do so due to the current classification.

In contrast, military and so-called dual use goods—items that can serve both civilian and military purposes, such as certain chips and chemicals—are subject to stricter export controls. According to NOS, since October 2023, the Netherlands has exported 4 million euros in military goods and 66 million euros in dual use goods to Israel.

In April, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs informed the Tweede Kamer that it would tighten export controls on strategic goods to Israel, citing "greater risks in the current geopolitical context." However, dogs are not included in those measures.

Lydia de Leeuw of SOMO told NOS that the group’s research found the NVWA issued 110 export certificates to the companies since the escalation of war in Gaza began. She cited concerns from the United Nations and Palestinian organizations about the use of dogs by the Israeli military, alleging that they have been deployed during arrests, house raids, and other operations. “Every dog carries that risk, and the risk is now very high,” she said.

While service dogs can be used in civilian contexts, such as airport security or explosive detection, SOMO notes that their deployment in military operations cannot be ruled out.

A motion introduced by the Party for the Animals (Partij voor de Dieren) and MP Christine Teunissen was narrowly adopted by the Tweede Kamer. The motion calls for an investigation into whether service dogs should be reclassified as dual use goods, which would subject them to license requirements and allow for export denial on human rights grounds. “That license can be refused if abuses are likely,” Teunissen said.

The Israeli military did not respond to questions from NOS. The Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs is reportedly expected to issue an updated statement on the matter later this week.