Max was a German Shepherd serving with the Romanian Army. Born in 2009 and trained to detect explosives, he took part in two missions in Afghanistan alongside Staff Sergeant Valentin Roșioara. After Max was retired from service, his case prompted the Ministry of National Defence to change the rules governing military animals that could no longer perform the duties for which they had been trained.
Two Missions in Afghanistan
Max was trained from an early age by Staff Sergeant Valentin Roșioara to detect explosive materials. His role was to identify mines and improvised explosive devices before soldiers entered dangerous areas.
He took part in two missions in Afghanistan, one with the 2nd Infantry Battalion “Călugăreni” and the other with the 300th Infantry Battalion “Sfântul Andrei”. At the time, the Romanian press described him as the only Romanian Army dog specially trained to detect explosives in theatres of operations.
In 2012, Valentin Roșioara described Max’s role in such missions: “He is trained to detect explosive materials. He risks his own life to save others.” The statement was later quoted in reports about Max.
After returning to Romania, Max also took part in events marking Romania’s National Day. He appeared alongside soldiers in military parades, wearing the Romanian tricolour, and became well known to the public.
Illness and Retirement from Service
In 2013, Max was diagnosed with dirofilariasis, a serious parasitic disease affecting the heart and blood vessels. Treatment was difficult and prolonged, and his condition meant that he could no longer carry out the missions for which he had been trained.
Max’s situation came to public attention in late 2014. Once declared unfit for military service, he faced the possibility of being sent to an animal shelter, as the rules in force at the time did not automatically provide continued Army care for an animal that had been retired from its assigned role.
Max was taken into the care of Sorina Hanea, who oversaw his treatment and looked after him. Fundraising campaigns were also organised to cover the cost of his treatment, and his case attracted a large number of supporters.
The public response also prompted a change in the rules of the Ministry of National Defence. In December 2014, the ministry stated that animals that no longer met the standards required for a particular type of service could, where possible, be reassigned to duties suited to their abilities, such as guard or escort duties, and remain in service for life with the corresponding entitlements.
Death and Military Honours
Max died on the evening of 8 September 2015, at the age of six. Sorina Hanea, who had been caring for him, announced his death the following day.
On 11 September 2015, Max was buried with military honours. Members of the 2nd EOD Group attended the ceremony, and the Romanian Land Forces published photographs and a message commemorating the dog that had taken part in missions in Afghanistan.
A memorial plaque dedicated to Max also bore a message from Staff Sergeant Valentin Roșioara, the soldier who had trained him and served alongside him in Afghanistan: “He was my combat partner and my best friend. He will always be in my heart. Farewell, dear friend.”