Assembly Resolution No. 449

BY: M. of A. Gandolfo

MEMORIALIZING Governor Kathy Hochul to proclaim
May 15, 2023, as Police Dog Day in the State of New
York

WHEREAS, The quality and sanctity of community life are cherished
values, worthy of safeguarding, and this Legislative Body is moved to
honor those canines who serve to preserve and protect such values,
lauding particularly their unwavering courage and dedication in the
daily performance of their duties; and

WHEREAS, It is appropriate to recognize and commend such outstanding
Police Dogs Officers for their valued contributions to the community;
and

WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is justly proud to memorialize
Governor Kathy Hochul to proclaim May 15, 2023, as Police Dog Day in the
State of New York, in conjunction with the observance of National Police
Dog Day; and

WHEREAS, Working dogs whose job it is to help law enforcement
protect the public are among the most important canines in our society;
and

WHEREAS, Scientists are not sure if dogs were originally
domesticated for their guarding abilities, it could have been their
hunting skills instead, but whatever the reason, it did not take long
for ancient humans to start relying on the dog's fierce instinct for
protection; and

WHEREAS, The ancient Romans were one of the first cultures to use
dogs for security; a tour through the ruins of Pompeii, the ancient
Roman city destroyed by a volcano in 79 AD, reveals evidence that guard
dogs protected many of the homes in the city; and

WHEREAS, During the Middle Ages, dogs were used for law enforcement
in parts of Europe, mostly to hunt down criminals; bloodhounds were
preferred in Scotland because of their superior ability to track by
scent; and

WHEREAS, In the late 1800s, dogs started to become known as valuable
partners in police work; London police used Bloodhounds to search for
Jack the Ripper in 1888, while other dogs accompanied British police on
their beats; and

WHEREAS, The first formal training of police dogs began in Belgium
in 1899; he success of this program brought attention to the valuable
help dogs could provide in security work; and

WHEREAS, By 1910, the Germans had made police dogs a common site in
cities throughout the country; they chose the German Shepherd as their
breed of choice, and the first police dog training school was opened in
1920 in the Town of Grunheide; and

WHEREAS, Dogs did not become part of police work in the United
States until the 1970s; now, canine officers are common in police forces
throughout the United States; they are also used by the United States
military for patrol and detection work, and the Central Intelligence
Agency (CIA) for finding and apprehending criminals; and

WHEREAS, Most police dogs live with their handlers, and are treated
like family pets when they are off duty; they often form strong bonds
with their handlers, and are considered important partners in
maintaining law and order by police officials around the world; and

WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is pleased to recognize the efforts
of the valiant and brave police dogs who devoted themselves to public
service, demonstrating great courage and diligence in providing for the
care and welfare of the citizens of their communities and this great
Empire State; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
memorialize Governor Kathy Hochul to proclaim May 15, 2023, as Police
Dog Day in the State of New York; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to The Honorable Kathy Hochul, Governor of the State of New
York.