Military animals are trained, typically with government authorization, for use by military or paramilitary organizations such as armies, navies, and police forces. Common modern examples include dogs and cetaceans; throughout human history numerous other species have also been trained, including cavalry mounts such as horses, camels, and elephants. Military history is additionally littered with failed attempts. For the most part, military animals are used for surveillance, since they are unable to recognize the political nuances of war and therefore are not completely reliable in combat. Of all military animals, dogs are the most common species used as attack animals because they are specifically adapted to understand and cooperate with humans.
