ARC Act

Florida (FL): police and working animal protection laws

Summary: Best model state. The Care for Retired Police Dogs Program (§ 943.69) pays up to $5,000 per dog per year in vet bills, with $300,000 a year appropriated. EMS may treat and transport injured police canines, and § 843.19 makes seriously hurting one a second degree felony.

Body armor

Medical & insurance (including EMS treatment of injured K9s)

Fla. Stat. § 401.254. EMS may transport and treat a police canine hurt in the line of duty, with immunity; § 474.203(10) carves this out of the vet practice act. flsenate.gov; K9 MEDIC state law map, verified 18 Sep 2026

Retirement & service limits (age or service limits, handler adoption rights)

Eligibility for the § 943.69 program effectively sets the service floor: 5 years of service, or 3 years plus retirement for a line of duty injury. No mandatory retirement age or handler adoption statute found.

Post retirement care (retired K9 care funds)

Fla. Stat. § 943.69, Care for Retired Police Dogs Program (SB 226, 2022; signed June 2022). FDLE contracts with a nonprofit, currently the Retired Police Canine Foundation, which reimburses former handlers or adopters for vet care. The cap is up to $5,000 per dog per year from July 1, 2025, up from $1,500. $300,000 recurring a year from FY2022-23. It covers wellness care, emergency care and surgery, cancer treatment, euthanasia and cremation. flsenate.gov § 943.69; FDLE program page; Florida Bar News

Penalties for harming police animals (context)

Fla. Stat. § 843.19. Causing great bodily harm, permanent disability or death to a police canine, fire canine, SAR canine or police horse, or using a deadly weapon on one, is a second degree felony. Lesser touching, striking or harm is a third degree felony, and harassment is a misdemeanor. flsenate.gov; Animal Legal & Historical Center

Pending or failed bills

Sources

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