Reinstate Annual Military Working Dog Disposition Reports

Reinstate Annual Military Working Dog Disposition Reports

Started
January 5, 2017
Petition to
US House of Representatives - Texas-13 Mac Thornberry and 2 others
Petition Closed
This petition had 908 supporters

Why this petition matters

Started by Justice for TEDD Handlers

We see the statistic, "Approximately 90% of military working dogs are adopted by their former handlers when they retire." But where is the proof if the reports are no longer required?

SIGN & SHARE to reinstate the requirement for Military Working Dog disposition reports! The requirement was removed in 2012, and the TEDD adoption mess proves a need for transparency.

In light of the U.S. Army's Office of Provost Marshal General's mishandling of the Tactical Explosive Detector Dog (TEDD) adoptions in 2014, we request that the annual reporting of MWD dispositions be reinstated for transparency. For more information on the mishandled TEDD adoptions, visit https://justice4tedds.com/the-details and our Facebook page www.facebook.com/justice4tedds

Of the roughly 4,900 dogs that the United States used in Vietnam, around 2,700 were turned over to the South Vietnamese army, and a staggering 1,600 were euthanized. Today, military working dogs are no longer left in war zones like they were in Vietnam. But until 2000, it was legal and common practice to euthanize military working dogs, known as MWDs, at the end of their useful service. Historically viewed as “surplus equipment,” they weren’t seen as having value beyond the military purpose for which they were trained. That mindset has changed dramatically, due in no small part to the public’s growing awareness of how these animals were treated after years of dutiful service. But it was one military war dog in particular – a dog named Robby – whose own fate changed that of other MWDs to come. “Robby’s Law” (H.R. 5314) was signed by President Bill Clinton in November 2000 and required that all MWDs suitable for adoption be available for placement after their service. Unfortunately, it was too late to save Robby, whose former handler fought valiantly to adopt him, to no avail.

The original “Robby’s Law” from 2000 can be found here: https://www.congress.gov/106/plaws/publ446/PLAW-106publ446.pdf which shows section (f):

‘‘(f ) ANNUAL REPORT.—The Secretary shall submit to Congress an annual report specifying the number of military working dogs adopted under this section during the preceding year, the number of these dogs currently awaiting adoption, and the number of these dogs euthanized during the preceding year. With respect to each euthanized military working dog, the report shall contain an explanation of the reasons why the dog was euthanized rather than retained for adoption under this section.’’

The reports were provided to Congress annually and provided the number of MWDs adopted, transferred, or awaiting adoption, and the number of MWDs euthanized during the preceding year. This report also explains why some MWDs were euthanized rather than transferred to other governmental or civil law enforcement agencies or retained for adoption.

In the defense spending bill (NDAA) for 2012 (signed into Public Law 112-81 on December 31, 2011), the requirement was changed from annual to biennial (section 349):

https://www.treasury.gov/resource-center/sanctions/Programs/Documents/ndaa_publaw.pdf#page=79

In the SAME NDAA for 2012 (but a different section 1061), Public Law 112–81 was changed so that the requirement was completely removed. Note the removal of section (f) which required the report. “(20) Section 2583 is amended— (A) by striking subsection (f); and (B) by redesignating subsection (g) as subsection (f).“
https://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/PLAW-112publ81/pdf/PLAW-112publ81.pdf#page=287

Below is the current Public Law 114-92, which mandates Title 10 U.S. Code § 2583 “Robby’s Law.” This was signed into law on 11/25/15 and gives handlers first priority along with other changes. As you can see, there is no reporting requirement included. https://www.congress.gov/114/plaws/publ92/PLAW-114publ92.pdf#page=69

Thank you.

Petition Closed

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Decision Makers

  • Mac ThornberryUS House of Representatives - Texas-13
  • John McCainUS Senate - Arizona
  • Richard HudsonUS House of Representatives - North Carolina-08