Cops will be able to stay with their retiring K-9 partners under a new law. Previously, when a police dog was put into retirement, it was treated like property that’s no longer needed. This new law recognizes the special bond between an officer and his loyal sidekick, giving police first dibs in adopting the dog says Illinois State Police Director Leo Schmitz.
If the officer doesn’t want the dog, it could then be adopted by another department employee or by a no-kill shelter.