1. (a) Each publicly owned dog used for law enforcement work by the State or a local subdivision of the State shall have a license issued by the Department under this section.

2. (b)

   1. (1) A license under this section shall be issued:

      1. (i) on the form prepared and provided by the Department; and
      2. (ii) to the law enforcement officer to whom the licensed dog is assigned.

   2. (2) Each license shall:

      1. (i) be dated and numbered;
      2. (ii) state the law enforcement agency to which the dog belongs; and
      3. (iii) describe the dog that is licensed.
   3. (3) A license issued under this section is valid for all dog licensing purposes anywhere in the State.

3. (c) A license issued under this section is in effect until the earlier of:

   1. (1) revocation of the license by the Department; and
   2. (2) removal of the licensed dog from law enforcement work.

4. (d)

   1. (1) The Department shall provide with each license a metal tag that:

      1. (i) is stamped “Department of State Police”; and
      2. (ii) bears the license number of the dog.
   2. (2) The tag shall be affixed to a substantial collar to be provided by the law enforcement agency to which the dog belongs.
   3. (3) The tag and collar shall be kept on the licensed dog at all times unless the dog is confined in a kennel or is under the personal charge of the law enforcement officer to whom the dog is assigned.
5. (e) The licensing responsibility of this section does not create liability for the Department or its officers or employees for any action of a licensed dog or the law enforcement officer to whom it is assigned.

Added by Acts 2003, c. 5, § 2, eff. Oct. 1, 2003.