Welcome to DU! The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards. Join the community: Create a free account Support DU (and get rid of ads!): Become a Star Member Latest Breaking News Editorials & Other Articles General Discussion The DU Lounge All Forums Issue Forums Culture Forums Alliance Forums Region Forums Support Forums Help & Search

Eugene

(62,623 posts)
Wed Nov 6, 2019, 07:35 PM Nov 2019

Texas: Retired police dogs had to be sold or destroyed under state law. Voters just changed that.

Source: Washington Post

Retired police dogs had to be sold or destroyed under state law. Voters just changed that.

By Karin Brulliard
11/6/2019, 6:00:40 a.m.

Police dogs spend all day working with handlers. They typically live together.

But when law enforcement K-9s in Texas have retired, they haven’t always gone home with their handlers. Laws in the nation’s second-largest state treated the dogs as surplus public property that, like firearms or police cars taken out of commission, needed to be auctioned off, donated to charity or destroyed.

That changed Tuesday, when voters overwhelmingly approved a constitutional amendment that allows dogs, horses or other law enforcement animals to be adopted at no cost by their handlers or other “qualified” caretakers.

It was backed by the Sheriffs’ Association of Texas, whose members were regularly perplexed by how to handle dog retirement legally — complying with laws that viewed the animals as surplus — and ethically, in ways that made sense to officers who view K-9 partners as family and departments who mark dogs’ retirements or deaths with ceremonies.

“It’s the right thing to do,” said Collin County Sheriff Jim Skinner, who chairs the legislative committee for the sheriffs’ association. “There’s been a lot of great dogs with great handlers, and the right thing should have been done by them. But it’s better late than never.”

-snip-

Read more: https://www.washingtonpost.com/science/2019/11/06/retired-police-dogs-had-be-sold-or-destroyed-under-state-law-voters-just-changed-that/

12 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight: NoneDon't highlight anything 5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies
Texas: Retired police dogs had to be sold or destroyed under state law. Voters just changed that. (Original Post) Eugene Nov 2019 OP
Better late than never, indeed. I am thrilled to read of this great outcome. n/t CaliforniaPeggy Nov 2019 #1
Totally agree. democratisphere Nov 2019 #2
Wish they would do this with non-govt. animal places, I need a kitten and a puppy but can't afford braddy Nov 2019 #3
This is great news! RainCaster Nov 2019 #4
Occasionally Texas does something right. nt Susan Calvin Nov 2019 #5
Wow, democracy does work. mysteryowl Nov 2019 #6
What?? I thought that they usually retired in the care of their partners. Rhiannon12866 Nov 2019 #7
Why part of their constitution? LiberalFighter Nov 2019 #8
The state constitution regulates the disposition of surplus government property. Eugene Nov 2019 #10
Also the way Texas and its constitution works is stupid. Susan Calvin Nov 2019 #11
what assholes ever allowed this to happen in the first place orleans Nov 2019 #9
I'm so happy that those retired animals are going to be adopted. Democreator Jan 2020 #12
 

braddy

(3,585 posts)
3. Wish they would do this with non-govt. animal places, I need a kitten and a puppy but can't afford
Wed Nov 6, 2019, 08:17 PM
Nov 2019

to buy them from the rescue centers.

RainCaster

(11,481 posts)
4. This is great news!
Wed Nov 6, 2019, 08:38 PM
Nov 2019

While police dogs are great animals, they are not for novices. I have raised 5 generations of GSDs, several as Shutzhund, and I would not want to see a police dog go to a doggy neophyte.

This is a great change for those who have served a community and needs some final years of rest. Good for Tejas!

mysteryowl

(7,735 posts)
6. Wow, democracy does work.
Wed Nov 6, 2019, 09:47 PM
Nov 2019

When given the chance, democracy works. Maybe we should put EVERYTHING on a ballot for the public to vote on!

Rhiannon12866

(220,583 posts)
7. What?? I thought that they usually retired in the care of their partners.
Wed Nov 6, 2019, 10:17 PM
Nov 2019

I guess this is good news - geez!!

Eugene

(62,623 posts)
10. The state constitution regulates the disposition of surplus government property.
Wed Nov 6, 2019, 10:57 PM
Nov 2019

It's a power of the purse function. Until now, police dogs and horses have been considered property just like a patrol car. This has been a problem in other states too.

Per Propsition 10' ballot summary:

https://www.alamovotesblue.org/uploads/1/2/8/9/128992682/pros_and_cons_proposition_10.pdf

Background
• Law enforcement animals are considered ‘property’ of the state agency, county, municipality
etc.
• The Constitution requires all surplus governmental property to be auctioned, donated, or
destroyed.
• The proposed amendment would allow the animal to be transferred to its former caretaker at
no cost.

The U.S. constitution gives Congress that authority over federal property, and they changed the law for federal dogs in 2000.

Susan Calvin

(2,024 posts)
11. Also the way Texas and its constitution works is stupid.
Thu Nov 7, 2019, 05:06 AM
Nov 2019

There are a lot of things in the Constitution that don't belong in that kind of document. Detail things . We vote on a raft of amendments pretty much every year.

orleans

(34,811 posts)
9. what assholes ever allowed this to happen in the first place
Wed Nov 6, 2019, 10:50 PM
Nov 2019

glad voters changed that.

shame on them for creating a law to kill these animals . absolutely horrifying and heartless!

 

Democreator

(11 posts)
12. I'm so happy that those retired animals are going to be adopted.
Sun Jan 5, 2020, 03:26 PM
Jan 2020

I was appalled when I read that before voters voted for that Constitutional Amendment, that said retired police animals could be destroyed. Animals have feelings also.

Latest Discussions»Culture Forums»Vegetarian, Vegan and Animal Rights»Texas: Retired police dog...