Dead dog called up to the German Army

The German Army has called up a dead dog for national service.

Helga Koehlke, 53, from Rostock, Northern Germany, received an official army letter demanding that her pet Pekingese Tommy Jakob, who passed away in 2002, report for a military medical examination with his ID card and a pair of swimming shorts.

She said: "I thought it was a joke but then I saw the official stamp. But I'm sure it must have been a mistake as little Tommy Jakob would have been no good in the army because he was almost completely blind."

Officials says Mrs Koehlke received the letter as part of an office mix-up.