Law Enforcement Dogs May Be Adopted

Dogs used in federal law enforcement may be donated to their handlers when the canines retire from active duty, thanks to a new law written by Rep. Elton Gallegly (R-Simi Valley).

Gallegly’s bill allows the specially trained animals to spend their retirement years with the men and women they know best. President Clinton signed the bill into law Monday.

Before the law, the dogs were designated as surplus government property, which made adoption a long and convoluted process. In some cases, the dogs remained caged or were destroyed, Gallegly said. Under the new law, the dogs may be donated to their handlers, who assume all costs and responsibility for the animals.