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.
PL 106-446 (H.R.5314), enacted 11/06/2000

114 STAT. 1932 
PUBLIC LAW 106-446—NOV. 6, 2000 
Public Law 106-446 
106th Congress 
An Act 
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^ amend title 10, United States Code, to facilitate the adoption of retired military 
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working dogs by law enforcement agencies, former handlers of these dogs, and 
[H.R. 5314] 
other persons capable of caring for these dogs. 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of 
the United States of America in Congress assembled, 
SECTION 1, PROMOTION OF ADOPTION OF MILITARY WORKING DOGS. 
(a) ADOPTION OF MILITARY WORKING DOGS.—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) AVAILABILITY FOR ADOPTION.—^The Secretary of Defense 
may make a military working dog of the Department of Defense 
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 sub-
section (b). 
"(b) SUITABILITY FOR ADOPTION.—^The decision whether a par-
ticular 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 commander shall consider the recommendations of the 
unit's veterinarian in making the decision regarding a dog's adopt-
ability. 
"(c) AUTHORIZED RECIPIENTS.—^Military working dogs may be 
adopted under this section by law enforcement agencies, former 
handlers of these dogs, and other persons capable of humanely 
CEiring for these dogs. 
"(d) CONSIDERATION.—^The transfer of a military working dog 
under this section may be without charge to the recipient. 
"(e) LIMITATIONS ON LIABILITY FOR TRANSFERRED DOGS.—(1) 
Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the United States 
shall not be subject to any suit, claim, demand or action, liability, 
judgment, cost, or other fee arising out of any claim for personal 
injury or property damage (including death, illness, or loss of or 
damage to property or other economic loss) that results from, or 
is in any manner predicated upon, the act or omission of a former 
military working dog transferred under this section, including any 
training provided to the dog while a military working dog. 
"(2) Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the United 
States shall not be liable for any veterinary expense associated 
PUBLIC LAW 106-446—NOV. 6, 2000 
114 STAT. 1933 
with a military working dog transferred under this section for 
a condition of the miHtary working dog before transfer under this 
section, whether or not such condition is known at the time of 
transfer under this section. 
"(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 expla-
nation of the reasons why the dog was euthanized rather than 
retained for adoption under this section.". 
(b) CLERICAL AMENDMENT.—^The table of sections at the begin-
ning 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.". 
Approved November 6, 2000. 
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY—H.R. 5314: 
CONGRESSIONAL RECORD, Vol. 146 (2000): 
Oct. 10, considered and passed House. 
Oct. 24, considered and passed Senate, amended. 
Oct. 26, House concurred in Senate amendment.