Blumenthal Announces Senate Passage Of Amendment To Improve Treatment Of Military Working Dogs, Vows To Continue Fight To Reclassify Dogs As Canine Members Of The Armed Forces

(Simsbury, CT) -- U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal joined the third annual Heroes and Hounds Military Working Dog Drive in Simsbury Friday, announcing Senate passage of a provision to strengthen protections and support for military working dogs.

Military working dogs are highly skilled at detecting improvised explosive devices (IEDs) that can be otherwise difficult, if not impossible, to identify. Despite their life-saving service, they are currently classified by the Department of Defense as "equipment," leaving the dogs' adopters or individual military units to bear the cost of transportation and care if they wish to transport retiring dogs back to the United States.

Passed unanimously by the Senate earlier this month as an amendment to the National Defense Authorization Act, the Canine Members of the Armed Forces Act permits the Secretary to administer a system of care for retired military working dogs. Further, the amendment allows, but does not require, the Secretary of each military department to transfer retiring military working dogs to the 341st Training Squadron at Lackland Air Force Base in Texas, or another suitable location to prevent adopters from having to pay the high cost of transporting the dogs from overseas. Finally, the amendment authorizes the Secretary of Defense to recognize meritorious dogs or those killed in action.

Senator Blumenthal introduced legislation in February that would have further classified military working dogs as canine members of the armed forces, not equipment. The bill would have also enabled individuals to donate frequent flyer miles to transport the dogs and required, rather than recommended, establishment of a system of veterinary care.

“Senate passage of the Canine Members of the Armed Services Act is an important first step, but this fight is far from over. These courageous companions and comrades, who save lives on the battlefields by detecting roadside bombs and other threats, now can retire to homes in America with critical care and support. I will continue to fight for the provision in my original bill that reclassifies these brave and talented dogs from equipment to canine members of the armed forces. These dogs are so much more than a rifle or a tank. They are living breathing heroes who have saved the lives of our troops and provided many of our veterans with companionship long after they retire from service,” Blumenthal said.

Senator Blumenthal was joined at the event by East Hartford native Lisa Phillips and her retired military dog Rambo. Phillips served in the U.S. Army as a veterinary technician caring for the Army’s working dogs. Now residing in Texas, Phillips contacted Senator Blumenthal and Rep. Walter Jones (R-NC) about introducing legislation to reclassify military working dogs as canine members of the armed services. Phillips has since founded the Retired Military Working Dog Assistance Organization to support and facilitate adoption of retired military working dogs.

"The Retired Military Working Dog Assistance Organization is proud to stand with Senator Blumenthal in support of our working dogs. We are very excited that the Senator was able to get the Canine Members of the Armed Forces Act passed in the National Defense Authorization Act. The Senator's support of our military, 2-legged and 4-legged is unwavering. We thank Senator Blumenthal for standing up for all working dogs,” said Phillips.

Friday marked the third annual Heroes and Hounds Military Working Dog Drive hosted by the Simsbury Police Department. The drive has collected more than 130 care packages for service men and women and their canine working partners in the Middle East. The drive received generous support from Simsbury residents, businesses and town employees, as well as support from the Windsor Pet Food Pantry, the Fidelco Guide Dog Foundation, the Bass Family of Meriden, and employees of CitiGroup in Hartford.

“It is an honor and a privilege to do this for our soldiers and their canine working partners,” said Simsbury Animal Control Officer Mark Rudewicz, who organizes the annual drive. “These working canines have saved countless lives.”