Sen. Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) will introduce legislation to create a non-profit funding source to help with adoptions of military dogs once they retire.

“These courageous comrades help detect and disarm roadside bombs and IEDs — some of the deadliest threats to our troops,” Blumenthal said in a release. “They are critical partners to our combat teams. Retired military working dogs often continue to serve at home in offering companionship and care to war fighters. For their service abroad, these dogs deserve their loyalty and dedication to be returned when they are home.”

Military dogs are currently classified as Defense Department “equipment,” and the individual military units bear the cost of transporting the dogs once they have finished serving abroad, according to the release.

The bill would also:

• Standardize the military dog adoption process.
• Set up a “Retired Military Working Dogs Veterinary Care Fund” from private donations.
• Empower DoD to honor “courageous or meritorious dogs, or those killed in action.”

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