Washington, D.C.– The U.S. House of Representatives approved legislation, authored by Congressman Erik Paulsen (MN-03), to return military working dogs to the United States after their service is complete. The legislation, the Military Working Dog Retirement Act, was included in the National Defense Authorization Act, which passed the House Thursday by a bipartisan vote of 370-58. Under current law, the Department of Defense is not required to bring military working dogs home after their service is finished. Despite a waiting list of more than 1,200 people, many of whom are veterans and active duty soldiers, dogs are still routinely retired overseas. Military members that have formed strong bonds with dogs they served alongside are often forced to spend their own money to bring the animals home.

“It’s no surprise that many of the members of our military form tight-knit bonds with ‘man’s best friend’ on the front lines,” said Paulsen. “Reuniting members of our military with these working dogs once their service is complete is a simple way to support our troops after they return home from war.”

Paulsen spoke on the House floor about this legislation earlier this year. Video of that speech is available here.

While military working dogs have served in our military since WWI, there has been renewed focus on the plight of these dogs with the release of the motion picture, Max, this summer. An Arizona Republic article details the difficulty that some members of the military have when trying to bring these dogs home. The Star Tribune published an editorial supporting the legislation in July.

Congressman Paulsen, a champion of small business and advocate of free enterprise, entrepreneurship, and innovation, serves on the House Ways and Means Committee, the bicameral Joint Economic Committee, and is co-chair of the Congressional Medical Technology Caucus.

For more information on Congressman Paulsen’s work in Congress visit paulsen.house.gov. 

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