[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 79 (Monday, June 9, 1997)]
[Senate]
[Page S5424]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

      By Mr. INHOFE:
  S. 861. A bill to amend the Federal Property and Administrative 
Services Act of 1949 to authorize donation of Federal law enforcement 
canines that are no longer needed for official purposes to individuals 
with experience handling canines in the performance of law enforcement 
duties; to the Committee on Governmental Affairs.


           donation of law enforcement dogs to their handlers

  Mr. INHOFE. Mr. President, I rise today to introduce a bill to 
address the situation encountered when certain members of our Federal 
law enforcement community are no longer able to perform their assigned 
duties. These members of the Federal law enforcement community to which 
I refer are not people, but canines.
  The purpose of this legislation is simple. The bill will streamline 
the regulations that govern the adoption of Federal law enforcement 
canines by their handlers. Currently, these animals are considered 
Federal property and when their tenure of service has ended, they are 
considered surplus Government property. Under current Federal 
regulations, Government agencies are forced to comply with procedures 
to ensure maximum return for the Government's investment in the animal 
at auction.
  These animals have received special security training to best equip 
them for the demands of their duties. Because of the hazards associated 
with their duties, this specialized training often makes these animals 
unsuitable as pets for those not trained to handle these animals.
  Because of the highly specialized training these animals receive, 
they should not be simply auctioned to the highest bidder. Currently, 
if no trained handler comes forward and offers the highest bid for the 
animal, the possibility exists that it will spend the rest of its life 
caged, or even worse, destroyed.
  Under this legislation, the eligible animals would be donated to 
their handlers, who would then assume all costs and responsibilities 
associated to the care of that animal. This practice is commonplace for 
local law enforcement agencies nationwide.
  This is not a drastic departure from previous Government procedure. 
In 1993, the General Services Administration granted a waiver for 
Border Patrol canine handlers to purchase their partners for a nominal 
fee. Unfortunately, this waiver has expired and has not been renewed.
  Mr. President, this is a commonsense solution to a very simple 
problem. I urge my colleagues to support this bill and ease the 
restrictions concerning the adoption of Federal law enforcement 
canines.

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