Palmesano, Brown E, Durso, Smullen, Manktelow, Brook-Krasny, Maher, Tague, Bendett, Angelino,
Gunther, Blumencranz, Slater, Morinello, McGowan, Brabenec, Flood, Lemondes, McDonough, Jensen,
Giglio JM, Ra
 
MLTSPNSR
 
Add 844, Exec L
 
Directs the division of criminal justice services to establish a program for the care of retired law enforcement dogs which shall cover the cost of veterinary care for retired law enforcement dogs for the remainder of the lifetime of such dogs.
NEW YORK STATE ASSEMBLY MEMORANDUM IN SUPPORT OF LEGISLATION submitted in accordance with Assembly Rule III, Sec 1(f)
 
BILL NUMBER: A4975
SPONSOR: Gandolfo
 
TITLE OF BILL:
An act to amend the executive law, in relation to providing for the care
of retired law enforcement dogs
 
PURPOSE:
The purpose of this bill is to direct the Division of Criminal Justice
Services to create a program to reimburse owners or adopters of retired
police k-9s for the veterinary care of the dog for the remainder of
their lives.
 
SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:
Section 1: Provides for the definitions of "retired law enforcement
dog", "law enforcement agency", "correctional agency", and "veterinary
care". Directs the Division of Criminal Justice Services to establish a
program for the care of retired law enforcement dogs and to promulgate
rules and regulations to effectuate.the program. Requires the program
to cover the cost of veterinary care for retired law enforcement dogs
for the remainder of the lifetime of the dog. Outlines eligibility
requirements for retired law enforcement dogs. Requires submission of
veterinary care invoices for cost reimbursements from the division.
Section 2: Subjects the program to an appropriation to the Division out
of any moneys in the state treasury in the general fund.
 
JUSTIFICATION:
Law enforcement dogs provide our state with unmatched protection from
criminals and terrorists. With their incredible senses of smell, they
are most effective in detecting explosives, guns, nuclear or hazardous
materials, locating illicit drugs or weapons, apprehending criminals,
and are even vital in assisting search and rescue operations.
Typically, upon retirement, the dog's handler will adopt the dog and
take it home as a pet. However, oftentimes the officer may not be able
to afford the veterinary bills,, which can be significant, since these
dogs are older and have sustained injuries while doing their job. Sadly,
they can end up in a shelter or even be put to sleep because there is no
one to care for them. This bill would ensure that these law enforcement
dogs are properly taken care of for the remainder of their lives by
creating a State funded program and providing owners with cost
reimbursement for their veterinary care.
 
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:
New Bill.
 
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:
Undetermined.
 
EFFECTIVE DATE:
April 1, 2024.
STATE OF NEW YORK
________________________________________________________________________
4975
2023-2024 Regular Sessions
IN ASSEMBLY
February 27, 2023
___________
Introduced by M. of A. GANDOLFO, PALMESANO, E. BROWN, DURSO, SMULLEN,
MANKTELOW, BROOK-KRASNY, MAHER, TAGUE, BENDETT, ANGELINO, GUNTHER,
BLUMENCRANZ, SLATER, MORINELLO, MCGOWAN, BRABENEC, FLOOD, LEMONDES,
McDONOUGH, JENSEN, J. M. GIGLIO -- read once and referred to the
Committee on Codes
AN ACT to amend the executive law, in relation to providing for the care
of retired law enforcement dogs
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assem-bly, do enact as follows:
1 Section 1. The executive law is amended by adding a new section 844 to
2 read as follows:
3 § 844. Care for retired law enforcement dogs. 1. Definitions. For the
4 purposes of this section, the following terms shall have the following
5 meanings:
6 (a) "Retired law enforcement dog" shall mean a dog that was previously
7 in the service of or utilized by a law enforcement agency or a correc-
8 tional agency in this state for the principal purpose of aiding in the
9 detection of criminal activity, enforcement of laws, or apprehension of
10 offenders and that received certification issued by the division or by
11 the division of state police attesting to the satisfactory completion of
12 a police canine training program.
13 (b) "Law enforcement agency" shall mean any agency or department of
14 any municipality, any police district, or any agency, department,
15 commission, authority or public benefit corporation of the state employ-
16 ing a police officer or police officers as that term is defined in
17 subdivision thirty-four of section 1.20 of the criminal procedure law.
18 (c) "Correctional agency" shall mean any place operated by the state,
19 county or city of New York having primary responsibility for the super-
20 vision, protection, care, custody, control, or investigation of incar-
21 cerated individuals of the state employing police officers as defined in
22 paragraph (b) of subdivision thirty-four of section 1.20 of the criminal
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[] is old law to be omitted.
LBD07924-02-3
A. 4975 2
1 procedure law or peace officers as that term is defined in subdivision
2 twenty-five of section 2.10 of the criminal procedure law.
3 (d) "Veterinary care" shall mean the practice, by a veterinarian, of
4 veterinary medicine as defined in article one hundred thirty-five of the
5 education law. The term shall also include but not be limited to annual
6 wellness examinations, vaccinations, internal and external parasite
7 prevention treatments, testing and treatment of illnesses and diseases,
8 medications, emergency care and surgeries, physical therapy, veterinary
9 oncology or other specialty care, euthanasia, and cremation.
10 2. The division shall establish a program for the care of retired law
11 enforcement dogs and shall promulgate rules and regulations to effectu-
12 ate such program.
13 3. The program shall cover the cost of veterinary care for retired law
14 enforcement dogs for the remainder of the lifetime of such dogs.
15 4. In order to be eligible for the program, the handler or adopter of
16 the retired law enforcement dog shall provide proof that the dog was in
17 service as a law enforcement dog for at least:
18 (a) five years; or
19 (b) was taken out of service due to an injury to the dog; or
20 (c) was taken out of service due to the dog being trained in THC
21 detection.
22 5. A handler or adopter of an eligible law enforcement dog shall be
23 entitled to be reimbursed for the cost of veterinary care upon
24 submission of a valid invoice from a veterinarian.
25 § 2. The program established by section 844 of the executive law, as
26 added by section one of this act shall be subject to an appropriation to
27 the division of criminal justice services out of any moneys in the state
28 treasury in the general fund.
29 § 3. This act shall take effect April 1, 2024.