CONGRESSMAN GONZALEZ RE-INTRODUCES BIPARTISAN SGT. FIELDY ACT, ALLOWING MILITARY WORKING DOGS TO BE BURIED IN VETERAN CEMETERIES 

WASHINGTON – Today, Congressman Vicente Gonzalez (TX-34) reintroduced H.R. 918, the Sgt. Fieldy Act, which would allow military working dogs to be buried in national and certain state veteran cemeteries. This bipartisan piece of legislation is co-sponsored by Republican Congressman Greg Steube (FL-17) and Congresswoman Maria Elvira Salazar (FL-27).

"Military working dogs have saved countless lives by detecting explosives and leading search and rescue missions. It is time they are honored as the heroes they are," stated Congressman Gonzalez. "The story of Cpl. Caceres and Sgt. Fieldy is one of many across the nation and shows that the bond between a soldier and their working dog is unlike any other. I am proud to introduce Sgt. Fieldy Act named after Sgt. Fieldy, a South Texas hero."

"As a veteran of Operation Iraqi Freedom, I understand how integral military dogs are to the mission of our troops. I'm glad to cosponsor this legislation which will help to properly honor the life and work of military dogs," said Congressman Greg Steube.

Congressman Gonzalez named this bill in honor of Sgt. Fieldy, who served three tours in Afghanistan and now resides in South Texas with her handler U.S. Marine Corps Corporal, Nicolas Caceres. During deployment, Sgt. Fieldy detected several explosives, saving the lives of many. In 2016, Sgt. Fieldy received the K-9 Medal of Courage Award on Capitol Hill. And in 2018, she was selected as the Military Hero Dog in the Hero Dog Awards. Cpl. Caceres was recently informed that Sgt. Fieldy—now 15 years old—is unable to be buried in the State Veteran Cemetery in Mission, Texas.

More information on the bill can be found here.

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