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Health & Fitness

Military Working Dogs Also Suffered from the "DO NOTHING" 112th Congress

Our Military Working Dogs Need Your Help...Contact your Representatives and sign the petition.

According to the Journal Gazette of Fort Wayne, Indiana, 

"When we set out to write a book about the growing extremism in American politics about 18 months ago, we thought that the 112th Congress was the worst we had seen in our four decades in Washington. However, the fight over the debt limit, the fiscal cliff and the farm bill – and the shutdown of the Federal Aviation Administration – convinced us it has been the worst Congress ever..."

Retrieved from

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Find out what's happening in Farmington-Farmington Hillswith free, real-time updates from Patch.

On February 28, 2012 Representative Walter B. Jones Jr. (NC -3) introduced H.R. 4103 Canine Members of the Armed Forces Act and obtained 47 cosponsors.

Canine Members of the Armed Forces Act - Directs the Secretary of Defense (DOD) to classify military working dogs as canine members of the Armed Forces. Requires that such dogs no longer be classified as equipment.

Provides that if a dog should be retired, and no suitable adoption is available at the military facility where the dog is located, the dog may transferred to the 341st Training Squadron or to another location for adoption. Authorizes the acceptance of the donation of frequent traveler miles to facilitate the adoption of a dog.

Directs the Secretary to establish and maintain a system to provide for the lifetime veterinary care of retired, adopted dogs. Requires the Secretary to administer the system under a contract awarded by the Secretary to a private non-profit entity. Requires such care to meet standards that the Secretary shall establish and periodically update. Requires any costs of the operation and administration of the system and of any veterinary care provided under the system to be covered by such combination of the following as the Secretary and the non-profit entity jointly consider appropriate: (1) contributions from the non-profit entity, (2) payments for such care by owners or guardians of such dogs, and (3) other appropriate non-federal sources of funds. Prohibits the use of federal funds to provide care or operate the system, except for funds used to establish or administer the system, establish standards of care, or prescribe related regulations.

Directs the Secretary to create a decoration or other appropriate recognition to recognize dogs that are killed in action or perform an exceptionally meritorious or courageous act in service to the United States.

The Act was sent to the Armed Service Committee for approval and deciding what should stay or go for the Senate version to be passed. The Ranking Member of the Armed Services Committee Senator John McCain  objected to reclassification for Military Working Dogs. Reclassification as well recognition was overruled 

We are asking everyone to sign this petition to corrrect this injustice:

http://www.causes.com/actions/1717202?recruiter_id=54784539&utm_campaign=invite&utm_medium=wall&utm_source=fb

 

On July 25, 2012, Representative Gary C. Peters (MI-9) introduced H.Res.740 Expressing support for the desination of March 13 as K-9 Veterans' Day, in order to recognize the service and improve the treatment of military working dogs. Representative Walter B. Jones Jr. (NC -3) and Representative Laura Richardson (CA - 37) both cosponsors.

On August 24, 2012 it was referred to the Subcommittee on Military Personnel

As of January 11, 2013, H.RES.740 has not been re-introduced to the 113th Congress.

Please contact Washington and ask they H.RES. 740 be re-introduced 


 

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