FL S0358

Law enforcement agencies must provide veterinary care to police dogs retired from service for the remainder of the dog's life, beginning upon transfer of ownership to the former handler or adopter.

Veterinary care includes annual wellness examinations, vaccines, parasite prevention, illness and disease testing and treatment, medication, emergency care, surgeries, euthanasia, and cremation services provided by licensed veterinarians.

"Law enforcement agency" means state agencies or political subdivisions responsible for crime prevention, detection, or enforcement of penal, traffic, game, regulatory, or highway laws with agents empowered to conduct criminal investigations and make arrests.

"Police dog" means any dog owned or employed by a law enforcement agency for detecting criminal activity, enforcing laws, apprehending offenders, or detecting missing persons including those lost, trapped in disaster debris, or drowning victims.

Effective date is July 1, 2012.