By Bill Carey
Police1
SEEKONK, Mass. — A bill named after a K-9 that inspired the creation of a sanctuary for retired police dogs aims to create a fund to pay for the expenses of retired K-9s.
State Rep. Steve Xiarhos introduced the bill, “Dakota’s Law,” named after the K-9 that had responded to the Boston Marathon bombing and inspired the creation of a sanctuary called the K-9 PTSD Center, WBZ reported.
“There’s hundreds of dogs in Massachusetts serving and protecting us all over the Commonwealth but when they retire, their medical bills are not paid. Their medicine is not paid for,” said Rep. Xiarhos.
Jim Lamonte, who runs the K-9 PTSD Center, says K-9s can suffer from PTSD after experiencing trauma, just like people. “You see hypervigilance. You see avoidance. You look at self-soothing behaviors,” he said.
Lamonte takes in K-9s from police departments all over the country and gives them rehabilitation and affection. Funding comes out of his own pocket.
Lamonte is hoping Rep. Xiarhos bill will help with the cost of taking care of these retired dogs.