North Island-Powell River MP Aaron Gunn is disappointed in a government response to a petition to get police service dogs veterinary care once they retire.
Gunn sponsored a 1,600 signature petition from Courtenay police officer Chris Voller, presented in the House of Commons this summer.
The petition called for 100 per cent coverage for all illnesses or injuries related to their duties after performing three years of service and 50 per cent for general vet care.
But the Liberal public safety minister says dogs go through a medical review before adoption and the responsibility transfers to the new owner – usually their handler.
Gunn says the response is “unfortunate” but this is not the end of the matter.
“Many of these police dogs obviously have a bit rougher life than our average canine friend and incur all sorts of other injuries and illnesses or conditions later in life and we think that after those three years of service to the country that we should cover them and it shouldn’t fall on the adoptive families to do so,” Gunn said in an interview with Vista Radio.
“This is just the start of the journey, the start of the fight, certainly not the end. So we’re just going to continue to raise awareness among Canadians and push the government to make changes that we think would have broad cross-partisan, bi-partisan support,” he said.
Gunn plans to speak with Liberal and New Democrat colleagues on the Hill with the possibility of introducing a private member’s bill.
