(a) When a canine that was utilized in the service of the department of correction is retired due to age, service-related injury, or any other reason, and the canine is retired to the care and custody of a department of correction employee, whether active or retired, the department, from funds budgeted to the department through the general appropriations act, shall pay, on a monthly basis, the employee caring for the retired canine the sum of eighty-five dollars ($85.00) to be used exclusively for the medical care of the retired canine.
(b) The employee with custody of the retired canine shall maintain records of all medical treatment provided to the retired canine in the employee's care and custody and, by June 1 of each year, submit a copy of these medical records to the department of correction for the fiscal year ending at the end of that month.
(c) Within thirty (30) days of the death of a retired canine in the care of a department of correction employee, the employee shall notify the department of correction of the canine's death. The department shall terminate the monthly medical treatment payments to the employee provided by this section upon receiving notification pursuant to this subsection (c).
(d) The monthly amount set out in subsection (a) is in addition to any amount that is otherwise due and paid to the employee by virtue of salary, retirement, disability, or other reason.