Page:United States Statutes at Large Volume 114 Part 3.djvu/910

 114 STAT. 1932 PUBLIC LAW 106-446—NOV. 6, 2000 Public Law 106-446 106th Congress An Act N f? 200n "^^ amend title 10, United States Code, to facilitate the adoption of retired military °•' working dogs by law enforcement agencies, former handlers of these dogs, and [H.R. 5314] other persons capable of caring for these dogs. Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, SECTION 1, PROMOTION OF ADOPTION OF MILITARY WORKING DOGS. (a) ADOPTION OF MILITARY WORKING DOGS.—Chapter 153 of title 10, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following new section: "§ 2582. Military working dogs: transfer and adoption at end of useful working life " (a) AVAILABILITY FOR ADOPTION. —The Secretary of Defense may make a military working dog of the Department of Defense available for adoption by a person or entity referred to in subsection (c) at the end of the dog's useful working life or when the dog is otherwise excess to the needs of the Department, unless the dog has been determined to be unsuitable for adoption under subsection (b). "(b) SUITABILITY FOR ADOPTION. —The decision whether a particular military working dog is suitable or unsuitable for adoption under this section shall be made by the commander of the last unit to which the dog is assigned before being declared excess. The unit commander shall consider the recommendations of the unit's veterinarian in making the decision regarding a dog's adoptability. "(c) AUTHORIZED RECIPIENTS.— Military working dogs may be adopted under this section by law enforcement agencies, former handlers of these dogs, and other persons capable of humanely CEiring for these dogs. "(d) CONSIDERATION. — The transfer of a military working dog under this section may be without charge to the recipient. " (e) LIMITATIONS ON LIABILITY FOR TRANSFERRED DOGS.— (1) Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the United States shall not be subject to any suit, claim, demand or action, liability, judgment, cost, or other fee arising out of any claim for personal injury or property damage (including death, illness, or loss of or damage to property or other economic loss) that results from, or is in any manner predicated upon, the act or omission of a former military working dog transferred under this section, including any training provided to the dog while a military working dog. "(2) Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the United States shall not be liable for any veterinary expense associated

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