Dogs play a big part in helping many local or national police forces maintain order and the rule of law. They even serve in the military, risking their lives to keep humans safe. So, it’s only humane to wonder what happens to them once they retire. The good news is that most, if not all, retired military and police dogs go on to have wonderful lives by being adopted or better! But this wasn’t always the case. Read on to learn more.

Many Retired Police Dogs Stay With Their Handlers

A police officer who is charged with handling a K9 companion spends a great deal of time with the dog. Many times, they even bring the dog home and make them part of their family. Therefore, a strong bond is formed. So, when police dogs are ready for retirement, many of their handlers decide that they want to remain their caretakers for the rest of their lives.

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However, sometimes a police department may award custody to someone outside of the police force who is willing and capable of caring for them. For all intents and purposes, it is ideal that a retired police dog stays with their handler, as they know them well and can understand their form of communication. Still, retired police dogs tend to settle into home life well and can get along in a variety of different settings.

H.R. 5314 Changed Things for Police and Military Dogs

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For most of U.S. history, the military traditionally euthanized the dogs that they utilized for their purposes once they were no longer useful to them. But in 2000, Bill Clinton signed bill H.R. 5314 that dictated the immediate termination of the practice of euthanizing retired military dogs. This translated to the police because one of the provisions in the bill stated that retired military dogs could be adopted not only by former handlers and citizens but also by police agencies that needed fully trained dogs on their teams. This gives insight into past perspectives of these serving dogs compared to current standards.

Police Dogs Aren’t Useless Just Because They’re Retired

Many people think that police dogs retire because they are too old or emotionally affected to function normally either in police work or home life. However, the truth is that these dogs retire from the police force well before their lives come to an end. They might get too old to traverse the harsh terrains that they once could, or they may not have the same sniffer that they had several years ago.

Once retired, they can enjoy life and not have to worry about “thinking fast” or following dynamic commands. They want to go on daily walks, hang out with the family, and not be concerned about getting mixed up in dangerous situations. With affection, understanding, and a firm but loving hand, a retired police dog can get along well for years in a home environment. They can provide children and adults alike with companionship and help make a household more abundant and happier overall.

Police Dogs Are Usually Suited for Family Life

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Many police dogs live with their handlers, so they spend time with their family whenever their handlers do. Therefore, when they retire, they already know how a family environment works. This is important because if for some reason, their handler cannot keep them, someone else from the public can step up with confidence, knowing that they’ll be caring for a brave, independent, loyal, and loving pup that is sure to enrich their lives.

Final Thoughts

Retired police dogs typically go on to lead happy and healthy lives once they are done with their police work. They can get along well with people and animals of all kinds, and they respond well to commands. They are also ready for serious rest, so they don’t typically go around trying to run the house.

Featured Image Credit: Rob Hainer, Shutterstock.

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