Working Dog Health and Welfare Act” passes unanimously in U.S. House

Legislation aimed at improving the care of federal working dogs has cleared a major hurdle, unanimously passing the U.S. House of Representatives.

The bill, titled “The Working Dog Health and Welfare Act,” was introduced by Second District Congressman Rudy Yakym. It mandates federal agencies with working dog programs to adopt care guidelines outlined in a 2022 Government Accountability Office report. These recommendations include regular exercise, routine veterinary care, and improved treatment for working dogs employed by government contractors.