House Bill 628

AN ACT TO TRANSFER THE OWNERSHIP OF A DOG ASSIGNED TO A HIGHWAY PATROL OFFICER TO SUCH OFFICER WHENEVER THE COMMISSIONER OF PUBLIC SAFETY DETERMINES THAT THE DOG IS NO LONGER FIT OR IS UNABLE TO PERFORM THE LAW ENFORCEMENT FUNCTIONS FOR WHICH THE DOG WAS TRAINED AND IS NO LONGER NEEDED BY THE DEPARTMENT; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI:

SECTION 1. The ownership of a dog whose use, custody and care have been assigned to a highway patrol officer in the performance of his or her law enforcement duties, at the request of such officer, shall be transferred by the Department of Public Safety, without cost or consideration given by such officer, whenever the Commissioner of Public Safety determines that the dog is no longer fit or is unable to perform the law enforcement functions for which the dog was trained and that the dog is no longer needed by the department.

SECTION 2. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after July 1, 2002.