Federal Agencies Must Improve Health and Welfare Standards for Working Dogs.
This new law mandates that all federal agencies using working dogs (such as those in security or detection roles) must implement specific health and welfare recommendations within 180 days. This ensures that government working animals receive better care and meet higher, standardized operational standards. Agencies are also required to report to Congress on the exact steps taken to comply with these new rules.
Key points
Federal agencies and their contractors must implement improved health and welfare standards for all working dogs within 180 days, based on Government Accountability Office (GAO) recommendations.
The State Department must ensure that working dogs donated to foreign partners also adhere to these high care standards.
The law aims to increase agency accountability for the well-being of animals used in public service, without authorizing additional funding.
Became Law
Citizen Poll