[Congressional Record Volume 161, Number 88 (Wednesday, June 3, 2015)]
[Senate]
[Page S3681]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

      By Mr. WYDEN:
  S. 1498. A bill to amend title 10, United States Code, to require 
that military working dogs be retired in the United States, and for 
other purposes; to the Committee on Armed Services.
  Mr. WYDEN. Mr. President, since World War I, military working dogs 
have worked side-by-side with our men and women in uniform in various 
roles and operations. Today military working dogs routinely assist U.S. 
troops on dangerous front-line assignments, helping to detect roadside 
bombs and improvised explosive devices, saving hundreds of American 
lives and preventing countless injuries. Moreover, both on and off the 
battlefield, these dogs represent critical partners, invaluable team 
members, and cherished companions.
  Unlike traditional soldiers, a canine's service does not necessarily 
end when it reaches retirement. Instead, military working dogs often 
continue to support our nation by acting as service dogs for veterans 
suffering from mental and physical disabilities. Because of the close 
bond forged by their shared experiences in the military, these dogs can 
play a unique and important role in for our veterans--quite literally 
saving lives even once they return to the home front.
  Unfortunately, it is not always so easy for former dog handlers to be 
reunited with their four-legged comrades-in-arms. Because of the way 
the law is currently written, the Department of Defense is not required 
to bring military working dogs back to the United States upon 
retirement. As such, most military working dogs end up being retired 
overseas wherever they end their service. As a result, former handlers, 
veterans, and other members of the military community wishing to adopt 
a dog may be forced to cover the cost of transporting the dog halfway 
across the world.
  Our Nation's veterans deserve to be reunited with their canine 
counterparts and they should not have to shoulder the official costs 
and fees associated with doing so. To correct this situation, I am 
introducing the Military Working Dog Retirement Act. By requiring the 
Department of Defense to arrange and pay for the transportation of 
retiring military working dogs to the United States, this bill is a key 
step to ensuring former military dog handlers may benefit from the 
continued partnership and service of these loyal canines. It is my hope 
that the Senate will pass this legislation swiftly.
  Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the text of the bill be 
printed in the Record.
  There being no objection, the text of the bill was ordered to be 
printed in the Record, as follows:

                                S. 1498

       Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of 
     the United States of America in Congress assembled,

     SECTION 1. REQUIREMENT FOR RETIREMENT OF MILITARY WORKING 
                   DOGS IN THE UNITED STATES.

       (a) In General.--Section 2583 of title 10, United States 
     Code, is amended--
       (1) by redesignating subsections (f) and (g) as subsections 
     (g) and (h), respectively;
       (2) by inserting after subsection (e) the following new 
     subsection (f):
       ``(f) Retirement of Military Working Dogs Within the United 
     States.--(1) Except as provided in paragraph (2), the 
     retirement of a military working dog under this section shall 
     occur at a location within the United States.
       ``(2) Paragraph (1) shall not apply to the retirement of a 
     military working dog abroad if a United States citizen living 
     abroad adopts the dog at the time of retirement.
       ``(3) Amounts available to the military department 
     concerned shall be available for the costs of the transport 
     of military working dogs to the United States for retirement 
     in accordance with the requirement in paragraph (1).''; and
       (3) in subsection (g), as redesignated by paragraph (1)--
       (A) in the matter preceding paragraph (1), by striking 
     ``the Secretary of the military department concerned'' and 
     all that follows through ``may'' and inserting ``a military 
     working dog is to be retired in accordance with the 
     requirement in subsection (f)(1) and no suitable adoption is 
     available at the military facility where the dog is located 
     at the time of retirement, the Secretary of the military 
     department concerned shall''; and
       (B) by inserting ``within the United States'' after 
     ``another location''.
       (b) Effective Date.--The amendments made by this section 
     shall take effect on the date of the enactment of this Act, 
     and shall apply to retirements of military working dogs 
     pursuant to section 2583 of title 10, United States Code, 
     that occur on or after that date.
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