A new report from the State Department found that bomb-sniffing dogs sent from the United States to Jordan are not being cared for properly.

In a lengthy analysis that included photos of dogs with bones protruding from thin bodies, the Office of Inspector General found that “the Department was providing Explosive Detection Canines (EDCs) to foreign partner nations without the proper follow-up to ensure they were receiving adequate healthcare.”

“These allegations also included reports that dogs were dying due to various medical conditions, lack of veterinary care, and poor working conditions,” the report continues.

The dogs were trained in the US. They were sent abroad as part of a anti-terrorism assistance programme "to enhance the ability of their law enforcement to deter and counter terrorism", according to the report.

Previously, dogs were trained under a Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms initiative. Seventy dogs from that programme remain active in seven partner nations.

Water Wars: Jordan's disappearing resources Show all 13 1 /13 Water Wars: Jordan's disappearing resources Water Wars: Jordan's disappearing resources Worshippers go through baptismal rites on the Jordanian side of the River Jordan (Bel Trew) Bel Trew Water Wars: Jordan's disappearing resources Just a few metres away on the opposite bank of the River Jordan, in the West Bank, worshippers pray by baptismal site (Bel Trew) Bel Trew Water Wars: Jordan's disappearing resources Worshippers at Jordan's Baptismal site which is fast drying up (Bel Trew) Bel Trew Water Wars: Jordan's disappearing resources Separated by just a few metres of water worshippers in West Bank and Jordan engage in baptismal rites (Bel Trew) Bel Trew Water Wars: Jordan's disappearing resources A tourist takes a photograph by the Unesco protected site where Jesus was baptised but is now dry due to water shortages (Bel Trew) Bel Trew Water Wars: Jordan's disappearing resources The Unesco-listed site has not had water in years (Bel Trew) Bel Trew Water Wars: Jordan's disappearing resources Up until 2012 water regularly filled the site where Jesus was supposed to have been baptised by Saint John (Bel Trew) Water Wars: Jordan's disappearing resources The Dead Sea has lost a third of its surface area and is shrinking by a metre every year (Bel Trew) Bel Trew Water Wars: Jordan's disappearing resources Khaled, 50, a farmer overlooks the dried out pond which once fed his fields (Bel Trew) Bel Trew Water Wars: Jordan's disappearing resources This was once a full pond that fed irrigation canals on nearby farms (Bel Trew) Bel Trew Water Wars: Jordan's disappearing resources Khaled, 50 said he fears he will have to give up farming amid chronic water shortages (Bel Trew) Water Wars: Jordan's disappearing resources A group of Egyptian farm hands in Jerash one of the most water-scarce areas of Jordan (Bel Trew) Bel Trew Water Wars: Jordan's disappearing resources Mohammed, from Egypt, says half the farm hands had to be let go as business was struggling (Bel Trew) Bel Trew

As of 2018, 100 bomb-detecting dogs trained at a State Department facility were provided to six partner nations.

Now, the Office of Inspector General (OIG) has found "an overall lack of policies and standards governing the program.” According to the report, the animals are often provided without any signed written agreements or an outline about care, use and retirement.

In Jordan in particular, the report found problems were consistent. The report detailed specific cases, such as a dog who was found emaciated less than one year after arriving in Jordan. That dog also had faeces in her kennel, and no water in her water bowl.

Another dog from the US had to be euthanised in March 2018 after he became severely ill less than a year after arriving in Jordan. He was diagnosed first with a tick-borne illness, then a second vector-borne disease. He was put down in the US after being flown back for treatment.

The OIG has recommended more frequent check-ups, written agreements that outline polities, and a plan to address canine retirement and adoption. It did not, however, recommend ending the programme in Jordan “until a sustainability plan is in place”.