A number of bills have been introduced in North Carolina over the past year to allow certain municipalities to donate a working dog to its handler when the animal is retired from service.
Yesterday, a bill was amended in the Senate that would clarify that these procedures for the donation of retired service dogs apply to the State of North Carolina and any local government in the state.
The American Kennel Club supports House Bill 550, which will ensure the lifelong care of these animals who, along with their handlers, provide invaluable services to these communities. Specifically, it will allow the retired working dog to be donated to the officer or employee who had custody and control of it during its service. This allows the handler to continue to ensure the animal’s care and wellbeing and it honors the continued companionship and trust that is built between a handler and dog while serving the community. It also allows the dog to be donated to the handler’s family if the handler is killed in the line of duty. These dogs may also be donated to organizations that are dedicated to caring for retired working dogs.
AKC encourages North Carolina residents to contact their State Representative in support of House Bill 550. To find the name and contact information for your State Representative, visit AKC’s Legislative Action Center and type your address in the “Find Your Elected Officials box” on the right-hand side of the home page.
For more information, contact AKC GR at (919) 816-3720 or doglaw@akc.org.
A number of bills have been introduced in North Carolina over the past year to allow certain municipalities to donate a working dog to its handler when the animal is retired from service.
Yesterday, a bill was amended in the Senate that would clarify that these procedures for the donation of retired service dogs apply to the State of North Carolina and any local government in the state.