Sen. Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) on Wednesday introduced legislation that aims to ensure military service dogs come back to the U.S. after their tours are over.
The proposed bill, dubbed the Military Working Dog Retirement Act of 2015, would require the Pentagon to arrange and pay for transportation of trained military dogs back to the states if they are injured or when their skills are no longer required overseas.
{mosads}“The bond between these military working dogs and their handlers is unique,” Wyden said in a statement. “By bringing these dogs that have served alongside our men and women in uniform back to the United States, this bill can provide assistance to veterans while supporting the close bond between these dogs and our soldiers returning home.”
Today, many service dogs are given up for adoption in the country where their tour ends. Handlers and veterans who want to be reunited with their dogs usually have to pay the tab for bringing them back to the U.S.
The Pentagon estimates there are around 2,000 dogs currently serving in the various branches of the military, performing combat-related duties like sniffing for roadside bombs and other explosive devices.