I
106TH CONGRESS
2D SESSION
H. R. 5314
To require the immediate termination of the Department of Defense practice
of euthanizing military working dogs at the end of their useful working
life and to facilitate the adoption of retired military working dogs by
law enforcement agencies, former handlers of these dogs, and other
persons capable of caring for these dogs.
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
SEPTEMBER 27, 2000
Mr. BARTLETT of Maryland introduced the following bill; which was referred
to the Committee on Armed Services
A BILL
To require the immediate termination of the Department
of Defense practice of euthanizing military working dogs
at the end of their useful working life and to facilitate
the adoption of retired military working dogs by law
enforcement agencies, former handlers of these dogs, and
other persons capable of caring for these dogs.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representa-
tives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. IMPROVED TREATMENT OF MILITARY WORK-
ING DOGS.
(a) REVISION OF EUTHANIZATION POLICY.—As soon
as possible after the date of the enactment of this Act,
the Secretary of Defense shall revise the Department of
Defense policy regarding of the euthanization of military
working dogs—
(1) to terminate the practice of euthanizing
military working dogs at the end of their useful
working life; and
(2) to limit the euthanization of military work-
ing dogs to those situations in which euthanization
is medically necessary or necessary for public safety,
as determined pursuant to guidelines issued by the
Secretary of Defense.
(b) PROMOTION OF ADOPTION OF MILITARY WORK-
ING DOGS.—(1) Chapter 153 of title 10, United States
Code, is amended by adding at the end the following new
section:
‘‘§ 2582. Military working dogs: transfer and adoption
at end of useful working life
‘‘(a) ADOPTION
REQUIREMENT.—Notwithstanding
any other provision of law, the Secretary of Defense shall
make a military working dog of the Department of De-
fense available for adoption by a person or entity referred
to in subsection (c) at the end of the dog’s useful working
life or when the dog is otherwise excess to the needs of
the Department, unless the dog has been determined to
be unsuitable for adoption under subsection (b).
‘‘(b) SUITABILITY
FOR ADOPTION.—The decision
whether a particular military working dog is suitable or
unsuitable for adoption under this section shall be made
by the commander of the last unit to which the dog is
assigned before being declared excess. The unit com-
mander shall consider the recommendations of the unit’s
veterinarian in making the decision regarding a dog’s
adoptability.
‘‘(c) AUTHORIZED RECIPIENTS.—Military working
dogs may be adopted under this section by law enforce-
ment agencies, former handlers of these dogs, and other
persons capable of humanely caring for these dogs.
‘‘(d) CONSIDERATION.—The Secretary may authorize
the transfer a military working dog under this section
without charge to the recipient.
‘‘(e) HOLD HARMLESS AGREEMENT.—The Secretary
shall require the recipient of a military working dog under
this section to agree to hold harmless and indemnify the
United States from any claim for damages for injury or
other loss caused by the dog after the transfer of the dog
to the recipient’s possession.
‘‘(f) ANNUAL REPORT.—The Secretary shall submit
to Congress an annual report specifying the number of
military working dogs adopted under this section during
the preceding year, the number of these dogs currently
awaiting adoption, and the number of these dogs
euthanized during the preceding year. With respect to
each euthanized military working dog, the report shall
contain an explanation of the reasons why the dog was
euthanized rather than retained for adoption under this
section.’’.
(2) The table of sections at the beginning of such
chapter is amended by adding at the end the following
new item:
‘‘2582. Military working dogs: transfer and adoption at end of useful working
life.’’.
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