[Poland] Pensions for dogs and horses in state employment proposed

Following appeals from concerned service members, Poland’s Interior Ministry has proposed new legislation that would give service animals an official status and paid retirement to help cover the often-costly care bills their new owners face, VOA News reports.

At present, state care ends for the dogs and horses serving in Poland's Police, Border Guard and Fire Service when the animals are retired and there are no safeguards in place for their future welfare.

Interior Minister Mariusz Kaminski described the draft law as a "moral obligation" that should get unanimous backing when it goes before Parliament for approval later this year.

"More than one human life has been saved, more than one dangerous criminal caught thanks to the animals in service," Mr Kaminski said in February.

The new law would affect roughly 1,200 dogs and more than 60 horses currently in service.

According to the Interior Ministry, around 10 per cent of the animals are retired each year. The majority of the dogs are German or Belgian shepherds.

Pawel Kuchniov- handler of Warsaw police sniffer dog Orbita - says retired dogs almost always need expensive medical care, to help with issues like strained hind joints. The proposed pension money "will certainly be a great help and will make things easier," he said. (Quote via original reporting)

Additionally, the bill would formalise the unwritten rule that the service animals' handlers have priority in keeping them before they are offered up for adoption. More importantly, it would reportedly extend state responsibility for the animals into their retirement time and secure financial support for the owners.

VOA News reports the story with reactions from officers working alongside service animals.

Following appeals from concerned service members, Poland’s Interior Ministry has proposed new legislation that would give service animals an official status and paid retirement to help cover the often-costly care bills their new owners face, VOA News reports.

At present, state care ends for the dogs and horses serving in Poland's Police, Border Guard and Fire Service when the animals are retired and there are no safeguards in place for their future welfare.

Interior Minister Mariusz Kaminski described the draft law as a "moral obligation" that should get unanimous backing when it goes before Parliament for approval later this year.

"More than one human life has been saved, more than one dangerous criminal caught thanks to the animals in service," Mr Kaminski said in February.

The new law would affect roughly 1,200 dogs and more than 60 horses currently in service.

According to the Interior Ministry, around 10 per cent of the animals are retired each year. The majority of the dogs are German or Belgian shepherds.

Pawel Kuchniov- handler of Warsaw police sniffer dog Orbita - says retired dogs almost always need expensive medical care, to help with issues like strained hind joints. The proposed pension money "will certainly be a great help and will make things easier," he said. (Quote via original reporting)

Additionally, the bill would formalise the unwritten rule that the service animals' handlers have priority in keeping them before they are offered up for adoption. More importantly, it would reportedly extend state responsibility for the animals into their retirement time and secure financial support for the owners.

VOA News reports the story with reactions from officers working alongside service animals.