The Marine Corps Code of Conduct and the Dismissal of David Motari

Recently, the United States Marine Corps dismissed Hawaii-based Corporal David Motari in response to an internet video showing him mistreating a small puppy. In this video, Motari is shown throwing the dog over a cliff while several other Marines watched on. Whimpers are heard as the animal soars through the air, and then a significant thud signifying the creature's death.

After the video was released, animal rights activists were outraged. Corporal David Motari soon issued a statement on his MySpace, stating that troops stationed in war zones are not allowed to keep pets and the puppy was extremely ill at the time of the incident. According to his point of view, he had an option of shooting the animal or doing what he did. At the time, he stood fully by his actions.

This entire incident brings up several valid points. Human rights are an extremely important issue while troops are stationed in war zones. But what about animal rights? Typical combat training has no standard procedure for this practice. The Marine Corps does, however, have an extreme code of conduct for their troops that is omnipresent in everything they do - domestic or foreign.

Chances are, incidents like David Motari's happen constantly in these war-torn areas. The difference in this case, there was a video camera present and it was posted on the very popular website, YouTube. The question presented here has little to do with animal rights and more to do with what exactly is conduct becoming of a Marine? Posting offending videos on very public websites creates a morality issue, whether it be against an innocent animal or posting lewd, pornographic imagery. That is the reason why the Marine Corps is so interested in David Motari's case; not the injustice done to a sickly puppy.