WHITE LAKE, Mich- A woman in Metro-Detroit is upset, after her son’s army dog was denied burial at a military cemetery in Holly.
The Great Lakes National Cemetery says no dogs are allowed, but June Etlinger says they should make an exception for her son’s black lab named Mina. The dog did 9 tours of duty in Afghanistan with Etlinger’s son, then later retired with an honorable discharge from the army. At the age of 13, Mina developed a serious lung ailment and had to be put down. Tonight, his family says he should be treated just like a soldier.
“My father is buried there and my grandmother and my grandfather are buried there. It’s a beautiful cemetery and it’s an honorable cemetery, and I just feel that Mina deserves that as well,” says Etlinger.
For now, Mina’s remains are at an animal hospital while his family decides on what to do with them. His family says they plan to take the matter to Washington.
