Handlers, often veterans or law enforcement officers, currently bear the entire financial responsibility for retired K-9's medical expenses.IMAGE: Pexels
U.S. House of Representatives lawmakers argue that military canines need better retirement plans, according to an article in the Federal Times.
Rep. John James and Rep. Susan Wild recently introduced legislation to boost financial coverage of veterinarian costs for retired federal working dogs to ensure those costs don’t become a burden to their former handlers or new owners, the article notes.
The Protecting America's Working Dogs Act, also known as the PAW Act, aims to recognize the service of military dogs and the people who care for them post-service, the article said.
“The dogs and their handlers risk their own lives to keep Americans out of harm’s way,” James told the Federal Times. “Unfortunately, current regulations result in the handlers, who are often veterans or law enforcement officers themselves, becoming solely responsible for the medical costs of the retired K-9.”
The new legislation would require the Department of Justice to establish a pilot program to provide up to $575,000 in grants to non-profit groups providing financial assistance to former federal working dogs, according to the article.
In order to receive funding, groups must show their collaboration with eligible families to address medical expenses and related healthcare costs. The program will be implemented for a minimum duration of four years, the Federal Times reported.
The Defense Department employs approximately 1,600 working dogs in various global military operations. Aging dogs are either moved to different law enforcement agencies or made available for adoption by military handlers or other families, the article reported.
The number of eligible groups and grant costs have not been revealed, nor has a timeline been established for considering the measure in the chamber, the article reported.
