Massachusetts Considers Pension Funds for Retired Police Dogs

Proposed 'Dakota's Law' would provide care for retired K-9 officers, honoring a hero dog from the Boston Marathon bombing.

Apr. 4, 2026 at 10:33pm

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Momentum is building in Massachusetts for a bill that would establish pension funds to cover the care of retired police and military dogs across the state. The proposed 'Dakota's Law' is named after a K-9 that responded to the 2013 Boston Marathon bombing and is gaining support in the state legislature. The bill aims to ensure retired police dogs receive proper care and support after their service, rather than being euthanized or given away when departments can no longer afford their medical expenses.

Why it matters

This legislation highlights the important role police dogs play in public safety and the need to provide for them after retirement. The bill is inspired by a K-9 named Dakota who assisted in the manhunt for the Boston Marathon bombers, underscoring the sacrifices these animals make. Passing 'Dakota's Law' would signal that Massachusetts values the contributions of its police K-9 units and is committed to their wellbeing.

The details

The proposed 'Dakota's Law' would establish a fund, combining state and private money, to cover the costs of caring for retired police and military dogs across Massachusetts. The bill was introduced by State Rep. Steven Xiarhos, who previously served as Yarmouth's deputy police chief. Xiarhos says the bill is gaining momentum this legislative session thanks to a new Massachusetts vanity license plate that benefits K-9 programs and their caretakers. Proceeds from the plate sales will directly support the K-9 PTSD Research Center, a nonprofit that cares for retired police dogs, including Dakota, the inspiration for the law.

  • The bill was first introduced in the Massachusetts legislature in April 2023, on the 10th anniversary of the Boston Marathon bombing.
  • The bill made it to the House's Ways and Means committee last legislative session but received no further action.
  • This legislative session, the Joint Committee on Public Safety and Homeland Security has referred the bill to the House Committee on Ways and Means, indicating growing momentum.

The players

State Rep. Steven Xiarhos

A Barnstable Republican who introduced 'Dakota's Law' and previously served as Yarmouth's deputy police chief.

Dakota

A former Newton K-9 dog who helped track down Dzhokhar Tsarnaev after the Boston Marathon bombing in 2013.

James LaMonte

The founder of the K-9 PTSD Research Center, a nonprofit that cares for retired police dogs, including Dakota.

Daniel Valente

A former Newton police officer who handled Dakota and worked with him during the Boston Marathon bombing response.

Dara Gannon

The widow of Yarmouth Police Sgt. Sean Gannon, whose K-9 partner Nero was injured in the line of duty and is now retired.

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What they’re saying

“Lawmaking is hard, and sometimes, it's 'Well, how much is it going to cost?' And now, when you have a license plate helping to generate the funds, that's a huge thing.”

— State Rep. Steven Xiarhos

“These dogs, K-9s, give us the best years of their life serving us, protecting us, and they run towards danger. They deserve to be treated just like we would treat the other officers.”

— State Sen. Kelly Dooner, Taunton Republican

“It's hard. I mean, he was a family member. I miss the work that we did, miss working with him.”

— Daniel Valente, Former Newton police officer

What’s next

The proposed 'Dakota's Law' has been referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means, where advocates are pushing for its passage this legislative session.

The takeaway

This legislation recognizes the invaluable service and sacrifice of police K-9s, who put their lives on the line to protect public safety. By establishing a pension fund to care for retired dogs, Massachusetts is setting an example for how to properly honor these four-legged heroes and ensure their wellbeing after their service is complete.