 December 5, 2012; 07:25 |
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Join Date: Aug 2007
Posts: 20
| The Military Working Dog will be a VETERAN, not equipmentThe US Senate on December 4, 2012, passed the National Defense Authorization Act of 2013. It passed the House earlier this year and now goes to President Obama for his signature. Included as an amendment in this act was the Military Canine portion which does the following:
Section 1 Short Title
Designates this act as the Canine Members of the Armed Forces Act.
Section 2 Findings
Explains that military working dogs have served honorably in the armed forces and other government agencies in ways that go far beyond their current designation as equipment.
Notes that military working dogs have prevented injuries and saved lives.
Section 3 Retirement and Adoption of Military Working Dogs
Reclassifies military working dogs as canine members of the armed forces and states that they shall not be classified as equipment.
Authorizes the Secretary of the appropriate military department to transport retiring military working dogs to the 341st Training Squadron or another suitable location for adoption, if no suitable adoption is available at the military facility where the dog is located.
Authorizes the Secretary of Defense to accept travel benefits such as frequent traveler miles to facilitate the adoption of a retired military working dog.
Section 4 Veterinary Care for Retired Military Working Dogs
Directs the Secretary of Defense to establish and maintain a system to provide for the veterinary care of retired military working dogs beginning on the date on which the dog is adopted.
Directs the Secretary to operate the system through a contract awarded to a private non-profit entity. The non-profit entity would be responsible for the day-to-day operations of the system; no federal funds would be used to operate the system.
Directs the Secretary to consult with the board of directors of the non-profit to establish standards of veterinary care, including the types of care to be provided, the entities qualified to provide the care, and the facilities in which the care may be provided.
Section 5 Recognition of Service of Military Working Dogs
Directs the Secretary of Defense to create a decoration or other appropriate recognition to recognize military working dogs that are killed in action or perform an exceptionally meritorious or courageous act in service to the United States.
It has been a long time.
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December 9, 2012; 09:30 |
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Join Date: Aug 2007
Posts: 8
| re: The Military Working Dog will be a VETERAN, not equipmentI guess that shows that there are some Senators that actually know the right thing to do. AMEN!!!!!!!
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December 22, 2012; 16:12 |
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Join Date: Aug 2007
Posts: 20
| re: The Military Working Dog will be a VETERAN, not equipmentThere were some differences between a couple of things in the House and Senate versions, not related to the Canine issues. Those were resolved and both Chambers passed the final version in bi-partisan and overwhelming votes. There's a couple of things in it Obama and Panetta don't like. Hopefully the Pres will sign off on it, however.
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December 27, 2012; 19:59 |
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Join Date: Aug 2007
Posts: 20
| re: The Military Working Dog will be a VETERAN, not equipmentBad news. Apparently in the final provision the section dealing with re-classifying the Military Working Dog was taken out. They remain designated as equipment. Also, one of the main objectors to changing the designation to Canine Veteran was Senator John McCain, a Vietnam veteran, career military, former POW. In 2008 he met with Rachel Lee and MWD Lex who was assigned to Dustin Lee. Dustin, a US Marine canine handler was killed by an RPG round in March 2007. Lex was wounded and carried shrapnel in his hindquarters to his dying day earlier this year. Lex still covered Dustin with his own body and had to be dragged off Dustin for medics to reach him. He was the first military canine to be adopted by a family of a handler. Lex went on to become a qualified therapy dog, visiting schools, veterans homes and other veteran related events. Senator McCain sat down with Ms Lee and Lex. He touched that dog, petted him and listened to Rachel's story. I was told he had tears in his eyes. Then he had the gall to participate in this.
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