On Thursday, April 20, 2023, the Maine Committee on Criminal Justice and Public Safety will accept public testimony on LD 1234, to Provide Reimbursement for Health Care Expenses of Retired State Police Law Enforcement Dogs. The bill would require the Department of Public Safety to reimburse authorized handlers of retired law enforcement dogs used by the State Police up to $5,000 per year for the health care expenses of their dogs.
The American Kennel Club (AKC) supports LD 1234. AKC values the contribution that working and detection dogs make to national security and the extraordinary role that these dogs play in protecting the peace and security of individuals, communities, and nations. We honor the breeders, trainers, and handlers of these dogs, and support breeding programs to ensure that sufficient high quality domestically-bred dogs are available to ensure public safety and national security. Providing specialized care to assure the wellbeing of these dogs is a high AKC priority.
WHAT YOU CAN DO: Maine residents are encouraged to register to testify via zoom or submit your testimony in support before April 20, 2023.
- Go to the Maine State Legislature website here and select “public hearing”.
- Scroll down to “Choose a committee” and select “Criminal Justice and Public Safety” from the drop-down menu.
- Select date “Apr 20, 2023, 1:00PM” and choose bill “LD 1234 – An Act to Provide Reimbursement for Health Care Expenses of Retired State Police Law Enforcement Dogs”.
- Select your position as “support”. If you wish, you can add comments and/or upload written testimony in a file. You may also check the box allowing you to testify electronically over zoom. (A link will be sent to you.)
- Complete your contact information and hit the “submit/register” button.
You may also speak in person at the 1PM, April 20, 2023, public hearing. Sign in when you arrive at Room 436, Cross Building, 100 State House Station, Augusta, Maine 04333. Bring 20 copies of any written testimony you wish to submit to committee members.
For more information on these or other legislative issues in Connecticut, contact AKC’s Government Relations Department at 919-816-3720 or doglaw@akc.org.