To amend title 10, United States Code, to provide for certain requirements relating to the retirement, adoption, and recognition of military working dogs, and for other purposes.
About This Bill
Committee
Latest Action · June 13, 2023
Referred to the House Committee on Armed Services.
The Canine Members of the Armed Forces Act reclassifies military working dogs from "equipment" to "canine members of the Armed Forces," recognizing their critical contributions to national security. The bill directs the Department of Defense to establish a retirement and adoption program for these dogs, allowing them to be transferred to suitable homes when they can no longer serve, including through the 341st Training Squadron if no local adoption is available. The legislation also authorizes the Defense Secretary to create a military decoration or other formal recognition to honor military working dogs that are killed in action or perform exceptionally courageous acts. The bill affects all branches of the military as well as federal agencies like the Secret Service, CIA, and Transportation Security Administration that employ working dogs, recognizing their service in detecting explosives and narcotics, patrol work, and other duties since September 11, 2001. No specific new funding or timeline is mandated by the bill, as it primarily restructures how the military treats and recognizes working dogs administratively.
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