Paul Kiel July 19, 2006, 11:39 AM

Note to readers: Justin and I both love dogs. Especially rescue dogs.

We’ve gotten a couple of emails from readers on the lead item in today’s Daily Muck, on the recent GAO report on waste within the Department of Homeland Security. The New York Times reported that the department had spent over $68,000 on unused dog booties - “the boots ended up in a FEMA warehouse and have not been used.” The booties are used to protect rescue dogs’ paws, but apparently dogs in the region are “not accustomed to wearing booties.”

Here’s TPMm reader TL on the subject:

The DHS undoubtedly wasted (and wastes) a lot of money, but to imply that the dog booties fit in with beer making equipment and designer jackets belies the truth. As a firefighter who works alongside a FEMA funded rescue dog, “R*,” I personally confirmed with R’s trainer that FEMA (read: DHS) provided upwards of 15 pairs of doggy booties to R as he wore them out during the Katrina search effort. Furthermore, R still injured his foot (or paw…) and required veterinary attention. There were hundreds of dogs involved in that one search, going through lots of booties. At $30 a pop from REI, the booties add up.

Maybe you ought to change your example of DHS waste to “Designer Jackets” and apologize to the rescue dogs with sore paws.

*TL requested that R’s real name not be used.