S4643119th Congress

LEO K9 Protection Act

Sponsored By: Senator Moody, Ashley [R-FL]

Introduced

Summary

Elevates criminal penalties for harming police animals. This bill would amend 18 U.S.C. 1368 to make it a federal crime to injure or kill dogs or horses serving federal, state, local, or Department of Defense units when a deadly or dangerous weapon is used during the act. Offenders could face fines or up to 15 years in prison. The bill defines “police animal” by duties like detecting crime, enforcing laws, finding flammable materials, investigating fires, and locating missing persons. It exempts good-faith emergency veterinary care for injured police animals.

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

1 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.

Stronger penalties and care for police animals

This bill would make attacking a covered police animal with a deadly or dangerous weapon a federal crime. A person convicted would be fined under title 18, imprisoned up to 15 years, or both. The bill would define "police animal" as a dog or horse working for a federal agency, or for a state, county, or local agency while assisting a federal agency, when used for law enforcement, detection, rescue, fire work, or any official Department of Defense military role. It would exempt people who act in good faith to give emergency veterinary care to an injured police animal. It would also require the Transportation Secretary to publish EMS guidance within 180 days and issue rules within 240 days so EMTs and paramedics can give emergency care and transport injured police dogs to veterinary clinics.

Sponsors & CoSponsors

Sponsor

Moody, Ashley [R-FL]

FL • R

Cosponsors

There are no cosponsors for this bill.

Roll Call Votes

No roll call votes available for this bill.

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