Bill Would Allow Retiring Police Dogs To Live With Partner
CHICAGO (CBS) -- A bill is expected to pass in the Illinois Senate today requiring police departments to offer retiring police dogs to the officers who had partnered with them.
Senator Tom Cullerton of Villa Park sponsored the bill along with Senator Jacqueline Collins of Chicago.
In Evanston, police commander Joe Dugan says he's seen two police K-9s retire from service and go to live with the officers who handled them.
"A dog and a handler spend so much time together, build such a bond together, it's a pretty natural thing to do," Dugan said.
Sen. Cullerton acknowledges most police departments do offer retiring police dogs to their partners as pets, but not all.
"We want to make sure there's no gray area, no shenanigans, nothing can occur, that this is a priority."
Cullerton'sBill 3129 also says that, if the officer should not want the dog, it would be offered to someone else in the department or go to a non-profit organization or no-kill animal shelter to be put up for adoption.
Once passed in the Illinois Senate, the measure would still need the approval of the Illinois House.