By Terry Fleck

States with Laws or Codes:

STATES:

Alabama:
Code of Alabama Section 13A-11-15

Alaska:
Alaska Statute Sections 11.56.705, 11.56.710, 11.56.715, 11.81.900

Arizona:
Arizona Revised Statute Section 13-2910

Arkansas:
Arkansas Code Section 5-54-126  

California:
California Penal Code Section 600

Colorado:
Colorado Revised Statute Sections 18-1.3-602, 18-9-202

Connecticut:
Connecticut General Statute Sections 53-247, 53a-3, 5-249

Delaware:
Delaware Code Title 11, Section 1250

Florida:
Florida Statute: 843.19

Georgia:
Official Code of Georgia Section 16-11-107

Hawaii:
Hawaii Revised Statue Section 711-1109.4, 711-1109.5

Idaho:
Idaho Code Section 18-7039

Illinois:
510 Illinois Compiled Statutes (ILCS) Sections 70/2.08, 70/4.03, 70/4.04

Indiana:
Indiana Code Sections 35-46-3-11, 35-46-3-11.3

Iowa:
Iowa Code Section 717B.9

Kansas:
Kansas Statute Section 21-4318

Kentucky:
Kentucky Penal Code, (Kentucky Revised Statue) KRS Sections 525.010, 525.200, 525.205, 525.210, 525.215, 525.220

Louisiana:
Louisiana Revised Statute Section 14:102.8

Maine:
Maine Revised Statute 17 Section 752-B

Maryland:
Maryland Criminal Law Code Section 10-606

Massachusetts:
Laws of Massachusetts Chapter 272 Section 77A

Michigan:
Michigan Penal Code Section 750.50c

Minnesota:
Minnesota Statute Section 609.596

Mississippi:
Mississippi Code Section 97-41-23

Missouri:
Missouri Revised Statute Sections 575.010, 575.350, 575.353

Montana:
Montana Code Sections 45-8-209, 46-1-202, 44-11-303

Nebraska:
Revised Statutes of Nebraska Section 28-1009

Nevada:
Nevada Revised Statute Sections 574.050, 574.105, 651.075

New Hampshire:
New Hampshire Revised Statue Section (RSA) 644:8-d

New Jersey:
New Jersey Statute Section 2C:29-3.1

New Mexico:
New Mexico Statute Section 30-18-13

New York:
New York Penal Section 195.06

North Carolina:
North Carolina General Statute Section 14-163.1

North Dakota:
North Dakota Century Code Section 12.1-17-09

Ohio:
Ohio Revised Code (ORC) Section 2921.321

Oklahoma:
Oklahoma Statute, 21 Sections 649.1, 649.2

Oregon:
Oregon Revised Statute Sections 167.337, 167.339

Pennsylvania:
Pennsylvania Consolidated Statue 18 (Pa.C.S.) Section 5511.2

Rhode Island:
General Laws of Rhode Island (R.I. Gen. Laws) Section 4-1-30

South Carolina:
South Carolina Code Sections 47-3-610, 47-3-620, 47-3-630

Tennessee:
Tennessee Code Sections 39-14-205, 39-14-202

Texas:
Texas Penal Code Sections 38.15, 38.151

Utah:
Utah Code Section 76-9-306

Vermont:
Vermont Statute 13 (V.S.A.) Sections 351, 352, 352a, 353

Virginia:
Virginia Code Section 18.2-144.1

Washington State:
Code of Washington (ARCW) Sections 9A.76.200, 4.24.410

West Virginia:
West Virginia Code Sections 19-20-24, 61-3E-6

Wisconsin:
Wisconsin Statute Sections 951.095, 951.18

Wyoming:
Wyoming Statute Section 6-5-211

FEDERAL:

In addition, there is also the Federal Law Enforcement Animal Protection Act:
18 USC (United States Code) Section 1368

States with no Laws or Codes:

There are two (2) states that do not have laws or codes to protect police service dogs from assault, battery or death. These states typically provide protection only under animal cruelty laws.

Here is a listing of those states in alphabetical order and their animal cruelty law:

District of Columbia:
District of Columbia Code Section 22-1001

South Dakota:
South Dakota Statute Sections 40-1-20, 40-1-21

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LAW:

States with laws or codes to protect police service dogs from assault, battery or death:

States:

Alabama:

Code of Alabama Section 13A-11-15:

Killing police dogs.

No person shall intentionally, knowingly, recklessly or with criminal negligence kill a dog used by a peace officer to perform tasks within the line and scope of said officer's duties. For the purposes of this section the term "peace officer" shall have the meaning prescribed in Section 36-30-1. Any person who violates the provisions of this section shall, upon conviction, be guilty of a Class C felony as defined by this Code. The provisions of this section shall not apply to any person who violates the provisions of this section during the course of an orderly demonstration or activity in pursuit of one's civil rights.

Alaska:

Alaska Statute Section 11.56.705

Harming a police dog in the first degree

   (a) A person commits the crime of harming a police dog in the first degree if the person intentionally kills or causes serious physical injury to a police dog, knowing the dog to be a police dog.

(b) Harming a police dog in the first degree is a class C felony.

Sec. 11.56.710.  Harming a police dog in the second degree


   (a) A person commits the crime of harming a police dog in the second degree if the person intentionally causes physical injury to or, without causing physical injury to, torments, kicks, strikes, stones, or tampers with a police dog, knowing the dog to be a police dog.

(b) Harming a police dog in the second degree is a class A misdemeanor.

Sec. 11.56.715.  Defense to harming a police dog


   It is a defense to a prosecution under AS 11.56.705 or 11.56.710 that the conduct of the defendant

   (1) conformed to accepted veterinary practice; or

   (2) was in response to a direct attack on the defendant by a police dog not acting under the control of a peace officer.

Sec. 11.81.900.  Definitions

   (47) "police dog" means a dog used in police work under the control of a peace officer

Arizona:

Arizona Revised Statute:

§ 13-2910. Cruelty to animals; interference with working or service animal; classification; definitions

   A. A person commits cruelty to animals if the person does any of the following:

   1. Intentionally, knowingly or recklessly subjects any animal under the person's custody or control to cruel neglect or abandonment.

   2. Intentionally, knowingly or recklessly fails to provide medical attention necessary to prevent protracted suffering to any animal under the person's custody or control.

   3. Intentionally, knowingly or recklessly inflicts unnecessary physical injury to any animal.

   4. Recklessly subjects any animal to cruel mistreatment.

   5. Intentionally, knowingly or recklessly kills any animal under the custody or control of another person without either legal privilege or consent of the owner.

   6. Recklessly interferes with, kills or harms a working or service animal without either legal privilege or consent of the owner.

   7. Intentionally, knowingly or recklessly leaves an animal unattended and confined in a motor vehicle and physical injury to or death of the animal is likely to result.

   8. Intentionally or knowingly subjects any animal under the person's custody or control to cruel neglect or abandonment that results in serious physical injury to the animal.

   9. Intentionally or knowingly subjects any animal to cruel mistreatment.

   10. Intentionally or knowingly interferes with, kills or harms a working or service animal without either legal privilege or consent of the owner.

   11. Intentionally or knowingly allows any dog that is under the person's custody or control to interfere with, kill or cause physical injury to a service animal.

   12. Recklessly allows any dog that is under the person's custody or control to interfere with, kill or cause physical injury to a service animal.

   13. Intentionally or knowingly obtains or exerts unauthorized control over a service animal with the intent to deprive the service animal handler of the service animal.

B. It is a defense to subsection A of this section if:

   1. Any person exposes poison to be taken by a dog that has killed or wounded livestock or poison to be taken by predatory animals on premises owned, leased or controlled by the person for the purpose of protecting the person or the person's livestock or poultry, and the treated property is kept posted by the person who authorized or performed the treatment until the poison has been removed, and the poison is removed by the person exposing the poison after the threat to the person, or the person's livestock or poultry has ceased to exist. The posting required shall provide adequate warning to persons who enter the property by the point or points of normal entry. The warning notice that is posted shall be readable at a distance of fifty feet, shall contain a poison statement and symbol and shall state the word "danger" or "warning".

   2. Any person uses poisons in and immediately around buildings owned, leased or controlled by the person for the purpose of controlling wild and domestic rodents as otherwise allowed by the laws of the state, excluding any fur-bearing animals as defined in section 17-101.

C. This section does not prohibit or restrict:

   1. The taking of wildlife or other activities permitted by or pursuant to title 17.

   2. Activities permitted by or pursuant to title 3.

   3. Activities regulated by the Arizona game and fish department or the Arizona department of agriculture.

D. A peace officer, animal control enforcement agent or animal control enforcement deputy may use reasonable force to open a vehicle to rescue an animal if the animal is left in the vehicle as prescribed in subsection A, paragraph 7 of this section.

E. A person who is convicted of a violation of subsection A, paragraph 6 or 10 of this section is liable as follows:

   1. If the working or service animal was killed or disabled, to the owner or agency that owns the working or service animal and that employs the handler or to the owner or handler for the replacement and training costs of the working or service animal and for any veterinary bills.

   2. To the owner or agency that owns a working or service animal for the salary of the handler for the period of time that the handler's services are lost to the owner or agency.

   3. To the owner for the owner's contractual losses with the agency.

F. An incorporated city or town or a county may adopt an ordinance with misdemeanor provisions at least as stringent as the misdemeanor provisions of this section.

G. A person who violates subsection A, paragraph 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 or 12 of this section is guilty of a class 1 misdemeanor. A person who violates subsection A, paragraph 8, 9, 10, 11 or 13 of this section is guilty of a class 6 felony.

H. For the purposes of this section:

   1. "Animal" means a mammal, bird, reptile or amphibian.

   2. "Cruel mistreatment" means to torture or otherwise inflict unnecessary serious physical injury upon an animal or to kill an animal in a manner that causes protracted suffering to the animal.

   3. "Cruel neglect" means to fail to provide an animal with necessary food, water or shelter.

   4. "Handler" means a law enforcement officer or any other person who has successfully completed a course of training prescribed by the person's agency or the service animal owner and who used a specially trained animal under the direction of the person's agency or the service animal owner.

   5. "Service animal" means an animal that has completed a formal training program, that assists its owner in one or more daily living tasks that are associated with a productive lifestyle and that is trained to not pose a danger to the health and safety of the general public.

   6. "Working animal" means a horse or dog that is used by a law enforcement agency, that is specially trained for law enforcement work and that is under the control of a handler.

Arkansas:

Arkansas Code Section 5-54-126  

5-54-126.  Killing or injuring animals used by law enforcement or search and rescue dogs.

  (a)  (1) Any person who, without just cause, purposely kills or injures any animal owned by or used by a law enforcement agency or any search and rescue dog is guilty of a Class D felony.

   (2) "Search and rescue dog" means any dog:

      (A) In training for or trained for the purpose of search and rescue;

      (B) Owned by an independent handler or member of a search and rescue team; and

      (C) Used in conjunction with a local law enforcement organization or an emergency services organization for the purpose of locating a missing person or evidence of arson.

(b) Any person guilty of violating subsection (a) of this section is also required to make restitution to the law enforcement agency or owner so aggrieved.

California:

California Penal Code Section 600:

§ 600.  Interference with horse or dog being used by police officer

(a) Any person who willfully and maliciously and with no legal justification strikes, beats, kicks, cuts, stabs, shoots with a firearm, administers any poison or other harmful or stupefying substance to, or throws, hurls, or projects at, or places any rock, object, or other substance which is used in such a manner as to be capable of producing injury and likely to produce injury, on or in the path of, any horse being used by, or any dog under the supervision of, any peace officer in the discharge or attempted discharge of his or her duties, is guilty of a public offense. If the injury inflicted is a serious injury, as defined in subdivision (c), the person shall be punished by imprisonment in the state prison for 16 months, two or three years, or in a county jail for not exceeding one year, or by a fine not exceeding two thousand dollars ($2,000), or by both a fine and imprisonment. If the injury inflicted is not a serious injury, the person shall be punished by imprisonment in the county jail for not exceeding one year, or by a fine not exceeding one thousand dollars ($1,000), or by both a fine and imprisonment.

(b) Any person who willfully and maliciously and with no legal justification interferes with or obstructs any horse or dog being used by any peace officer in the discharge or attempted discharge of his or her duties by frightening, teasing, agitating, harassing, or hindering the horse or dog shall be punished by imprisonment in a county jail for not exceeding one year, or by a fine not exceeding one thousand dollars ($1,000), or by both a fine and imprisonment.

(c) Any person who, in violation of this section, and with intent to inflict such injury or death, personally causes the death, destruction, or serious physical injury including bone fracture, loss or impairment of function of any bodily member, wounds requiring extensive suturing, or serious crippling, of any horse or dog, shall, upon conviction of a felony under this section, in addition and consecutive to the punishment prescribed for the felony, be punished by an additional term of imprisonment in the state prison for one year.

(d) Any person who, in violation of this section, and with the intent to inflict such injury, personally causes great bodily injury, as defined in Section 12022.7, to any person not an accomplice, shall, upon conviction of a felony under this section, in addition and consecutive to the punishment prescribed for the felony, be punished by an additional term of imprisonment in the state prison for two years unless the conduct described in this subdivision is an element of any other offense of which the person is convicted or receives an enhancement under Section 12022.7.

(e) In any case in which a defendant is convicted of a violation of this section, the defendant shall be ordered to make restitution to the agency owning the animal and employing the peace officer for any veterinary bills, replacement costs of the animal if it is disabled or killed, and the salary of the peace officer for the period of time his or her services are lost to the agency.

Colorado:

Colorado Revised Statute Section 18-1.3-602

Definitions

As used in this part 6, unless the context otherwise requires:

(1) "Collections investigator" means a person employed by the judicial department whose primary responsibility is to administer, enforce, and collect on court orders or judgments entered with respect to fines, fees, restitution, or any other accounts receivable of the court, judicial district, or judicial department.

(2) "Conviction" means a verdict of guilty by a judge or jury or a plea of guilty or nolo contendere that is accepted by the court for a felony, misdemeanor, petty offense, or traffic misdemeanor offense, or adjudication for an offense that would constitute a criminal offense if committed by an adult. "Conviction" also includes having received a deferred judgment and sentence or deferred adjudication; except that a person shall not be deemed to have been convicted if the person has successfully completed a deferred sentence or deferred adjudication.

(2.3) "Money advanced by a governmental agency for a service animal" means costs incurred by a peace officer, law enforcement agency, fire department, fire protection district, or governmental search and rescue agency for the veterinary treatment and disposal of a service animal that was harmed while aiding in official duties and for the training of an animal to become a service animal to replace a service animal that was harmed while aiding in official duties, as applicable.

(2.5) Repealed.

(3) (a) "Restitution" means any pecuniary loss suffered by a victim and includes but is not limited to all out-of-pocket expenses, interest, loss of use of money, anticipated future expenses, rewards paid by victims, money advanced by law enforcement agencies, money advanced by a governmental agency for a service animal, adjustment expenses, and other losses or injuries proximately caused by an offender's conduct and that can be reasonably calculated and recompensed in money. "Restitution" does not include damages for physical or mental pain and suffering, loss of consortium, loss of enjoyment of life, loss of future earnings, or punitive damages.

(b) "Restitution" may also include extraordinary direct public and all private investigative costs.

(c) (I) "Restitution" shall also include all costs incurred by a government agency or private entity to:

(A) Remove, clean up, or remediate a place used to manufacture or attempt to manufacture a controlled substance or which contains a controlled substance or which contains chemicals, supplies, or equipment used or intended to be used in the manufacturing of a controlled substance;

(B) Store, preserve, or test evidence of a controlled substance violation; or

(C) Sell and provide for the care of and provision for an animal disposed of under the animal cruelty laws in accordance with part 2 of article 9 of this title or article 42 of title 35, C.R.S.

(II) Costs under this paragraph (c) shall include, but are not limited to, overtime wages for peace officers or other government employees, the operating expenses for any equipment utilized, and the costs of any property designed for one-time use, such as protective clothing.

(3.5) "Service animal" means any animal, the services of which are used to aid the performance of official duties by a peace officer, law enforcement agency, fire department, fire protection district, or governmental search and rescue agency.

(4) (a) "Victim" means any person aggrieved by the conduct of an offender and includes but is not limited to the following:

(I) Any person against whom any felony, misdemeanor, petty, or traffic misdemeanor offense has been perpetrated or attempted;

(II) Any person harmed by an offender's criminal conduct in the course of a scheme, conspiracy, or pattern of criminal activity;

(III) Any person who has suffered losses because of a contractual relationship with, including but not limited to an insurer, or because of liability under section 14-6-110, C.R.S., for a person described in subparagraph (I) or (II) of this paragraph (a);

(IV) Any victim compensation board that has paid a victim compensation claim;

(V) If any person described in subparagraph (I) or (II) of this paragraph (a) is deceased or incapacitated, the person's spouse, parent, legal guardian, natural or adopted child, child living with the victim, sibling, grandparent, significant other, as defined in section 24-4.1-302 (4), C.R.S., or other lawful representative;

(VI) Any person who had to expend resources for the purposes described in subparagraph (I) of paragraph (c) of subsection (3) of this section.

(b) "Victim" shall not include a person who is accountable for the crime or a crime arising from the same conduct, criminal episode, or plan as defined under the law of this state or of the United States.

(c) Any "victim" under the age of eighteen is considered incapacitated, unless that person is legally emancipated or the court orders otherwise.

(d) It is the intent of the general assembly that this definition of the term "victim" shall apply to this part 6 and shall not be applied to any other provision of the laws of the state of Colorado that refers to the term "victim".

COLORADO REVISED STATUTE Section 18-9-202

Cruelty to animals - aggravated cruelty to animals - neglect of animals - offenses

(1) (a) A person commits cruelty to animals if he or she knowingly, recklessly, or with criminal negligence overdrives, overloads, overworks, torments, deprives of necessary sustenance, unnecessarily or cruelly beats, allows to be housed in a manner that results in chronic or repeated serious physical harm, carries or confines in or upon any vehicles in a cruel or reckless manner, engages in a sexual act with an animal, or otherwise mistreats or neglects any animal, or causes or procures it to be done, or, having the charge or custody of any animal, fails to provide it with proper food, drink, or protection from the weather consistent with the species, breed, and type of animal involved, or abandons an animal.

(b) Any person who intentionally abandons a dog or cat commits the offense of cruelty to animals.

(1.5) (a) A person commits cruelty to animals if he or she recklessly or with criminal negligence tortures, needlessly mutilates, or needlessly kills an animal.

(b) A person commits aggravated cruelty to animals if he or she knowingly tortures, needlessly mutilates, or needlessly kills an animal.

(1.6) As used in this section, unless the context otherwise requires:

(a) "Serious physical harm" means any of the following:

(I) Any physical harm that carries a substantial risk of death;

(II) Any physical harm that causes permanent maiming or that involves some temporary, substantial maiming; or

(III) Any physical harm that causes acute pain of a duration that results in substantial suffering.

(1.8) A peace officer having authority to act under this section may take possession of and impound an animal that the peace officer has probable cause to believe is a victim of a violation of subsection (1) or (1.5) of this section or is a victim of a violation of section 18-9-204 and as a result of the violation is endangered if it remains with the owner or custodian. If, in the opinion of a licensed veterinarian, an animal impounded pursuant to this subsection (1.8) is experiencing extreme pain or suffering, or is severely injured past recovery, severely disabled past recovery, or severely diseased past recovery, the animal may be euthanized without a court order.

(2) (a) Except as otherwise provided in paragraph (b) of this subsection (2), cruelty to animals is a class 1 misdemeanor.

(a.5) (I) Repealed.

(II) In addition to any other sentence imposed for a violation of this section, the court may order an offender to complete an anger management treatment program or any other appropriate treatment program.

(III) The court shall order an evaluation to be conducted prior to sentencing to assist the court in determining an appropriate sentence. The person ordered to undergo an evaluation shall be required to pay the cost of the evaluation, unless the person qualifies for a public defender, then the cost will be paid by the judicial district. If the evaluation results in a recommendation of treatment and if the court so finds, the person shall be ordered to complete an anger management treatment program or any other treatment program that the court may deem appropriate.

(IV) Upon successful completion of an anger management treatment program or any other treatment program deemed appropriate by the court, the court may suspend any fine imposed, except for a five hundred dollar mandatory minimum fine which shall be imposed at the time of sentencing.

(V) In addition to any other sentence imposed upon a person for a violation of any criminal law under this title, any person convicted of a second or subsequent conviction for any crime, the underlying factual basis of which has been found by the court to include an act of cruelty to animals, shall be required to pay a mandatory minimum fine of one thousand dollars and shall be required to complete an anger management treatment program or any other appropriate treatment program.

(VI) Nothing in this paragraph (a.5) shall preclude the court from ordering treatment in any appropriate case.

(VII) This paragraph (a.5) does not apply to the treatment of pack or draft animals by negligently overdriving, overloading, or overworking them, or the treatment of livestock and other animals used in the farm or ranch production of food, fiber, or other agricultural products when such treatment is in accordance with accepted agricultural animal husbandry practices, the treatment of animals involved in activities regulated pursuant to article 60 of title 12, C.R.S., the treatment of animals involved in research if such research facility is operating under rules set forth by the state or federal government, the treatment of animals involved in rodeos, the treatment of dogs used for legal hunting activities, wildlife nuisances, or to statutes regulating activities concerning wildlife and predator control in the state, including trapping.

(b) (I) A second or subsequent conviction under the provisions of paragraph (a) of subsection (1) of this section is a class 6 felony. A plea of nolo contendere accepted by the court shall be considered a conviction for the purposes of this section.

(II) In any case where the court sentences a person convicted of a class 6 felony under the provisions of this paragraph (b) to probation, the court shall, in addition to any other condition of probation imposed, order that:

(A) The offender, pursuant to section 18-1.3-202 (1), be committed to the county jail for ninety days; or

(B) The offender, pursuant to section 18-1.3-105 (3), be subject to home detention for no fewer than ninety days.

(III) In any case where an offender is committed to the county jail or placed in home detention pursuant to subparagraph (II) of this paragraph (b), the court shall enter judgment against the offender for all costs assessed pursuant to section 18-1.3-701, including, but not limited to, the cost of care.

(c) Aggravated cruelty to animals is a class 6 felony; except that a second or subsequent conviction for the offense of aggravated cruelty to animals is a class 5 felony. A plea of nolo contendere accepted by the court shall be considered a conviction for purposes of this section.

(2.5) It shall be an affirmative defense to a charge brought under this section involving injury or death to a dog that the dog was found running, worrying, or injuring sheep, cattle, or other livestock.

(3) Nothing in this part 2 shall be construed to amend or in any manner change the authority of the wildlife commission, as established in title 33, C.R.S., or to prohibit any conduct therein authorized or permitted.

Connecticut:

Connecticut General Statute Section 53-247

Cruelty to animals. Animals engaged in exhibition of fighting. Intentional injury or killing of police animals or dogs in volunteer canine search and rescue teams.

    (a) Any person who overdrives, drives when overloaded, overworks, tortures, deprives of necessary sustenance, mutilates or cruelly beats or kills or unjustifiably injures any animal, or who, having impounded or confined any animal, fails to give such animal proper care or neglects to cage or restrain any such animal from doing injury to itself or to another animal or fails to supply any such animal with wholesome air, food and water, or unjustifiably administers any poisonous or noxious drug or substance to any domestic animal or unjustifiably exposes any such drug or substance, with intent that the same shall be taken by an animal, or causes it to be done, or, having charge or custody of any animal, inflicts cruelty upon it or fails to provide it with proper food, drink or protection from the weather or abandons it or carries it or causes it to be carried in a cruel manner, or fights with or baits, harasses or worries any animal for the purpose of making it perform for amusement, diversion or exhibition, shall be fined not more than one thousand dollars or imprisoned not more than one year or both.

(b) Any person who maliciously and intentionally maims, mutilates, tortures, wounds or kills an animal shall be fined not more than five thousand dollars or imprisoned not more than five years or both. The provisions of this subsection shall not apply to any licensed veterinarian while following accepted standards of practice of the profession or to any person while following approved methods of slaughter under section 22-272a, while performing medical research as an employee of, student in or person associated with any hospital, educational institution or laboratory, while following generally accepted agricultural practices or while lawfully engaged in the taking of wildlife.

(c) Any person who knowingly (1) owns, possesses, keeps or trains an animal engaged in an exhibition of fighting for amusement or gain, (2) possesses, keeps or trains an animal with the intent that it be engaged in an exhibition of fighting for amusement or gain, (3) permits an act described in subdivision (1) or (2) of this subsection to take place on premises under his control, (4) acts as judge or spectator at an exhibition of animal fighting for amusement or gain, or (5) bets or wagers on the outcome of an exhibition of animal fighting for amusement or gain, shall be fined not more than five thousand dollars or imprisoned not more than five years or both.

(d) Any person who intentionally injures any animal while such animal is in the performance of its duties under the supervision of a peace officer, as defined in section 53a-3, or intentionally injures a dog that is a member of a volunteer canine search and rescue team, as defined in section 5-249, while such dog is in the performance of its duties under the supervision of the active individual member of such team, shall be fined not more than five thousand dollars or imprisoned not more than five years or both.

(e) Any person who intentionally kills any animal while such animal is in the performance of its duties under the supervision of a peace officer, as defined in section 53a-3, or intentionally kills a dog that is a member of a volunteer canine search and rescue team, as defined in section 5-249, while such dog is in the performance of its duties under the supervision of the active individual member of such team, shall be fined not more than ten thousand dollars or imprisoned not more than ten years or both.

Delaware:

Delaware Code Title 11, Section 1250:

Offenses against law-enforcement animals

   (a)  Harassment of law-enforcement animals.

   (1) A person is guilty of harassment of a law-enforcement animal when such person intentionally harasses, taunts, menaces, challenges or alarms a law-enforcement animal in such a manner as is likely to provoke from such animal a violent, defensive or threatening response, such as lunging, baring of teeth, kicking, spinning or jumping, if such response from the animal causes alarm, distress, fear or risk of injury to any person or to the animal.

   (2) Harassment of a law-enforcement animal is an unclassified misdemeanor.

(b)  Assault in the second degree against a law-enforcement animal.

   (1) A person is guilty of assault in the second degree against a law-enforcement animal when such person intentionally or recklessly engages in conduct which creates a substantial risk of physical injury or death to a law-enforcement animal, including, but not limited to, beating, poisoning or torturing such animal.

   (2) Assault in the second degree against a law-enforcement animal is a class A misdemeanor.

(c)  Assault in the first degree against a law-enforcement animal.

   (1) A person is guilty of assault in the first degree against a law-enforcement animal when such person intentionally or recklessly causes serious physical injury or death to such law-enforcement animal.

   (2) Assault in the first degree against a law-enforcement animal is a class D felony.

(d)  "Law-enforcement animal" defined. -- For purposes of this section, the words "law-enforcement animal" shall mean any animal, including, but not limited to, canines, K-9 dogs and horses utilized by any law-enforcement officer, including any corrections officer, in the performance of such officer's duties.

Florida:

Florida Statute: 843.19

Offenses against police dogs, fire dogs, SAR dogs, or police horses

   (1) As used in this section, the term:

   (a) "Police dog" means any dog, and "police horse" means any horse, that is owned, or the service of which is employed, by a law enforcement agency for the principal purpose of aiding in the detection of criminal activity, enforcement of laws, or apprehension of offenders.

   (b) "Fire dog" means any dog that is owned, or the service of which is employed, by a fire department, a special fire district, or the State Fire Marshal for the principal purpose of aiding in the detection of flammable materials or the investigation of fires.

   (c) "SAR dog" means any search and rescue dog that is owned, or the service of which is utilized, by a fire department, a law enforcement agency, a special fire district, or the State Fire Marshal for the principal purpose of aiding in the detection of missing persons, including, but not limited to, persons who are lost, who are trapped under debris as the result of a natural, manmade, or technological disaster, or who are drowning victims.

(2) Any person who intentionally and knowingly, without lawful cause or justification, causes great bodily harm, permanent disability, or death to, or uses a deadly weapon upon, a police dog, fire dog, SAR dog, or police horse commits a felony of the third degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082, s. 775.083, or s. 775.084.

(3) Any person who actually and intentionally maliciously touches, strikes, or causes bodily harm to a police dog, fire dog, SAR dog, or police horse commits a misdemeanor of the first degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082 or s. 775.083.

(4) Any person who intentionally or knowingly maliciously harasses, teases, interferes with, or attempts to interfere with a police dog, fire dog, SAR dog, or police horse while the animal is in the performance of its duties commits a misdemeanor of the second degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082 or s. 775.083.

(5) A person convicted of an offense under this section shall make restitution for injuries caused to the police dog, fire dog, SAR dog, or police horse and shall pay the replacement cost of the animal if, as a result of the offense, the animal can no longer perform its duties.

Georgia:

Official Code of Georgia Section 16-11-107

Destroying or injuring police dog or police horse


   (a) As used in this Code section, the term:

   (1) "Accelerant detection dog" means a dog trained to detect hydrocarbon substances.

   (2) "Bomb detection dog" means a dog trained to locate bombs or explosives by scent.

   (3) "Firearms detection dog" means a dog trained to locate firearms by scent.

   (4) "Narcotic detection dog" means a dog trained to locate narcotics by scent.

   (5) "Narcotics" means any controlled substance as defined in paragraph (4) of Code Section 16-13-21 and shall include marijuana as defined by paragraph (16) of Code Section 16-13-21.

   (6) "Patrol dog" means a dog trained to protect a peace officer and to apprehend or hold without excessive force a person in violation of the criminal statutes of this state.

   (7) "Police dog" means a bomb detection dog, a firearms detection dog, a narcotic detection dog, a patrol dog, an accelerant detection dog, or a tracking dog used by a law enforcement agency. "Police dog" also means a search and rescue dog.

   (8) "Police horse" means a horse trained to transport, carry, or be ridden by a law enforcement officer and used by a law enforcement agency.

   (8.1) "Search and rescue dog" means any dog that is owned or the services of which are employed by a fire department or the state fire marshal for the principal purpose of aiding in the detection of missing persons, including but not limited to persons who are lost, who are trapped under debris as a result of a natural or manmade disaster, or who are drowning victims.

   (9) "Tracking dog" means a dog trained to track and find a missing person, escaped inmate, or fleeing felon.

(b) Any person who knowingly and intentionally destroys or causes serious or debilitating physical injury to a police dog or police horse, knowing said dog to be a police dog or said horse to be a police horse, shall be guilty of a felony and, upon conviction thereof, shall be punished by imprisonment for not less than one nor more than five years, or a fine not to exceed $10,000.00, or both. This subsection shall not apply to the destruction of a police dog or police horse for humane purposes.

Hawaii:

Hawaii Revised Statue Section 711-1109.4

Causing injury or death to a guide dog, signal dog, or service animal.

  (1) A person commits the offense of causing injury or death to a guide dog, signal dog, or service animal if:

   (a) The person recklessly causes injury to or the death of any guide dog, signal dog, or service animal, while the dog is in the discharge of its duties; or

   (b) The person is the owner of a dog and recklessly permits that dog to attack a guide dog, signal dog, or service animal while that dog is in the discharge of its duties, resulting in the injury or death of the guide dog, signal dog, or service animal.

(2) Any person who commits the offense of causing injury or death to a guide dog, signal dog, or service animal shall be punished as follows:

   (a) For a first offense by a fine of not more than $2,000, imprisonment of not more than thirty days, or both; and

   (b) For a second or subsequent offense by a fine of not more than $5,000, imprisonment of not more than thirty days, or both.

(3) Any person who is convicted of a violation of this section shall be ordered to make restitution to:

   (a) The person with a disability who has custody or ownership of the guide dog, signal dog, or service animal, for any veterinary bills and out-of-pocket costs incurred as a result of the injury to the dog; and

   (b) The person or organization that incurs the cost of retraining or replacing the animal, for the cost of retraining or replacing the animal if it is disabled or killed.

(4) As used in this section, "guide dog", "signal dog", and "service animal" shall have the same meaning as in section 515-3(8).

Hawaii Revised Statue Section 711-1109.5

Intentional interference with the use of a guide dog, signal dog, or service animal.

  (1) A person commits the offense of intentional interference with the use of a guide dog, signal dog, or service animal if the person, with no legal justification, intentionally or knowingly:

   (a) Harms a guide dog, signal dog, or service animal; or

   (b) Strikes or kicks a guide dog, signal dog, or service animal;

while the guide dog, signal dog, or service animal is in the discharge of its duties.

(2) Intentional interference with the use of a guide dog, signal dog, or service animal is a misdemeanor.

(3) Nothing in this section is intended to affect any civil remedies available for a violation of this section.

(4) As used in this section, "guide dog", "signal dog", and "service animal" shall have the same meaning as in section 515-3(8).

Idaho:

Idaho Code Section 18-7039

Killing and otherwise mistreating police dogs, police horses, search and rescue dogs and accelerant detection dogs


   (1) Definitions:

   (a) "Police dog" shall include:

      (i) "Bomb detection dog" means a dog trained to locate bombs or explosives by scent;

      (ii) "Narcotic detection dog" means a dog trained to locate narcotics by scent;

      (iii) "Patrol dog" means a dog trained to protect a peace officer and to apprehend a person;

      (iv) "Tracking dog" means a dog trained to track and find a missing person, escaped inmate or fleeing felon.

   (b) "Police horse" means any horse which is owned, or the service of which is employed, by a law enforcement agency for the principal purpose of aiding in detection of criminal activity, enforcement of laws and apprehension of offenders.

   (c) "Search and rescue dog" means a dog which is trained to locate lost or missing persons, victims of natural or man-made disasters, and human bodies.

   (d) "Accelerant detection dog" means a dog which is used exclusively for accelerant detection, commonly referred to as arson canines.

(2) The provisions of this section shall apply to police dogs and police horses used by peace officers, including any used by a corrections officer in the performance of the officer's duties, and to search and rescue dogs and accelerant detection dogs used by peace officers or certified handlers under the supervision of a peace officer. The provisions of this section shall apply when the animals are on duty and when not on duty.

(3) Any person who willfully and maliciously and with no legal justification, and with intent to inflict such injury or death, personally causes the death, destruction, or serious physical injury including bone fracture, loss or impairment of function of any bodily organ, wounds requiring extensive suturing, or serious crippling, of any police dog, police horse, search and rescue dog or accelerant detection dog, shall be guilty of a felony under this section and shall be punished by imprisonment in the state penitentiary for a period not to exceed five (5) years, or by a fine not to exceed ten thousand dollars ($ 10,000), or by both such fine and imprisonment.

(4) Any person who willfully, maliciously and with no legal justification, throws, hurls or projects at a police dog, police horse or search and rescue dog, any rock, object or other substance which is used in such a manner as to be capable of producing injury and likely to produce injury or kicks, strikes, beats, or torments any police dog, police horse or search and rescue dog is guilty of a misdemeanor and shall be punished by imprisonment for not more than one (1) year or by a fine not exceeding one thousand dollars ($ 1,000), or by both such fine and imprisonment.

(5) Any person who willfully and maliciously and with no legal justification, interferes with or obstructs any police dog, police horse or search and rescue dog being used by any peace officer in the discharge of the officer's duties by teasing, agitating, harassing such animals, or who causes another person or persons, animal or animals, to do likewise, is guilty of a misdemeanor and shall be punished by imprisonment for not more than one (1) year or by a fine not exceeding one thousand dollars ($ 1,000), or by both such fine and imprisonment.

(6) In any case in which a defendant is convicted of a violation of the provisions of this section, the defendant shall be ordered to make restitution to the agency owning the animal and employing the peace officer for any veterinary bills, replacement costs of the animal if it is disabled or killed, and the salary of the peace officer for the period of time his or her services are lost to the agency.

(7) The provisions of this subsection do not apply to peace officers or veterinarians who terminate the life of such a police dog, police horse or search and rescue dog for the purpose of relieving the police dog, police horse or search and rescue dog of undue pain or suffering.

Illinois:

510 Illinois Compiled Statutes (ILCS)

Section 70/2.08

Police animal

   Sec. 2.08. Police animal. "Police animal" means any animal owned or used by a law enforcement department or agency in the course of the department or agency's work.

510 ILCS 70/4.03

Teasing, striking or tampering with police animals, service animals, or search and rescue dogs prohibited

   Sec. 4.03. Teasing, striking or tampering with police animals, service animals, or search and rescue dogs prohibited. It shall be unlawful for any person to willfully and maliciously taunt, torment, tease, beat, strike, or administer or subject any desensitizing drugs, chemicals or substance to (i) any animal used by a law enforcement officer in the performance of his or her functions or duties, or when placed in confinement off duty, (ii) any service animal, (iii) any search and rescue dog, or (iv) any police, service, or search and rescue animal in training. It is unlawful for any person to interfere or meddle with (i) any animal used by a law enforcement department or agency or any handler thereof in the performance of the functions or duties of the department or agency, (ii) any service animal, (iii) any search and rescue dog, or (iv) any law enforcement, service, or search and rescue animal in training.

Any person convicted of violating this Section is guilty of a Class A misdemeanor. A second or subsequent violation is a Class 4 felony.

510 ILCS 70/4.04

Injuring or killing police animals, service animals, or search and rescue dogs prohibited


   Sec. 4.04. Injuring or killing police animals, service animals, or search and rescue dogs prohibited. It shall be unlawful for any person to willfully or maliciously torture, mutilate, injure, disable, poison, or kill (i) any animal used by a law enforcement department or agency in the performance of the functions or duties of the department or agency or when placed in confinement off duty, (ii) any service animal, (iii) any search and rescue dog, or (iv) any law enforcement, service, or search and rescue animal in training. However, a police officer or veterinarian may perform euthanasia in emergency situations when delay would cause the animal undue suffering and pain.

A person convicted of violating this Section is guilty of a Class 4 felony if the animal is not killed or totally disabled; if the animal is killed or totally disabled, the person is guilty of a Class 3 felony.

Indiana:

Indiana Code Section 35-46-3-11

Law enforcement animal - Mistreatment - Interference with official duties - Restitution.

  (a) A person who knowingly or intentionally:

   (1) strikes, torments, injures, or otherwise mistreats a law enforcement animal; or

   (2) interferes with the actions of a law enforcement animal while the animal is engaged in assisting a law enforcement officer in the performance of the officer's duties;

   commits a Class A misdemeanor.

(b) An offense under subsection (a)(1) is a Class D felony if the act results in:

   (1) serious permanent disfigurement;

   (2) unconsciousness;

   (3) permanent or protracted loss or impairment of the function of a bodily member or organ; or

   (4) death;

   of the law enforcement animal.

(c) It is a defense that the accused person:

   (1) engaged in a reasonable act of training, handling, or discipline; and

   (2) acted as an employee or agent of a law enforcement agency.

(d) In addition to any sentence or fine imposed for a conviction of an offense under this section, the court may order the person convicted to make restitution to the person or law enforcement agency owning the animal for reimbursement of:

   (1) veterinary bills; and

   (2) replacement costs of the animal if the animal is disabled or killed.

35-46-3-11.3

Search and rescue dog - Interference with or mistreatment - Defenses - Restitution.

  (a) As used in this section, "search and rescue dog" means a dog that receives special training to locate or attempt to locate by air scent or ground or water tracking a person who is an offender or is lost, trapped, injured, or incapacitated.

(b) A person who knowingly or intentionally:

   (1) interferes with the actions of a search and rescue dog while the dog is performing or is attempting to perform a search and rescue task; or

   (2) strikes, torments, injures, or otherwise mistreats a search and rescue dog;

   commits a Class A misdemeanor.

(c) An offense under subsection (b)(2) is a Class D felony if the act results in:

   (1) serious permanent disfigurement;

   (2) unconsciousness;

   (3) permanent or protracted loss or impairment of the function of a bodily member or organ; or

   (4) death;

   of the search and rescue dog.

(d) It is a defense that the accused person:

   (1) engaged in a reasonable act of training, handling, or disciplining the search and rescue dog; or

   (2) reasonably believed the conduct was necessary to prevent injury to the accused person or another person.

(e) In addition to any sentence or fine imposed for a conviction of an offense under this section, the court may order the person to make restitution to the person who owns the search and rescue dog for reimbursement of:

   (1) veterinary bills; and

   (2) replacement costs of the dog if the dog is disabled or killed.

Iowa:

Iowa Code Section 717B.9

Injury or interference with a police service dog.

   1.  A person who knowingly, and willfully or maliciously torments, strikes, administers a nonpoisonous desensitizing substance to, or otherwise interferes with a police service dog, without inflicting serious injury on the dog, commits a serious misdemeanor.

2.  A person who knowingly, and willfully or maliciously does any of the following commits a class "D" felony:

a.  Tortures a police service dog.

b.  Injures, so as to disfigure or disable, a police service dog.

c.  Sets a booby trap device for purposes of injuring, so as to disfigure or disable, or killing a police service dog.

d.  Pays or agrees to pay a bounty for purposes of injury, so as to disfigure or disable, or killing a police service dog.

e.  Kills a police service dog.

f.  Administers poison to a police service dog.

3.  As used in this section, "police service dog" means a dog used by a peace officer or correctional officer in the performance of the officer's duties, whether or not the dog is on duty.

4.  This section does not apply to a peace officer or veterinarian who terminates the life of such a dog for the purpose of relieving the dog of undue pain or suffering, or to a person who justifiably acts in defense of self or another.

Kansas:

Kansas Statute Section 21-4318

Harming or killing certain dogs.

    (a) Inflicting harm, disability or death to a police dog, arson dog, assistance dog, game warden dog or search and rescue dog is knowingly and intentionally, and without lawful cause or justification poisoning, inflicting great bodily harm, permanent disability or death, upon a police dog, arson dog, assistance dog, game warden dog or search and rescue dog.

(b)  As used in this section:

(1)  "Arson dog" means any dog which is owned, or the service of which is employed, by the state fire marshal or a fire department for the principal purpose of aiding in the detection of liquid accelerants in the investigation of fires.

(2)  "Assistance dog" has the meaning provided by K.S.A. 2006 Supp. 39-1113, and amendments thereto.

(3)  "Fire department" means a public fire department under the control of the governing body of a city, township, county, fire district or benefit district or a private fire department operated by a nonprofit corporation providing fire protection services for a city, township, county, fire district or benefit district under contract with the governing body of the city, township, county or district.

(4)  "Game warden dog" means any dog which is owned, or the service of which is employed, by the department of wildlife and parks for the purpose of aiding in detection of criminal activity, enforcement of laws, apprehension of offenders or location of persons or wildlife.

(5)  "Police dog" means any dog which is owned, or the service of which is employed, by a law enforcement agency for the principal purpose of aiding in the detection of criminal activity, enforcement of laws or apprehension of offenders.

(6)  "Search and rescue dog" means any dog which is owned or the service of which is employed, by a law enforcement or emergency response agency for the purpose of aiding in the location of persons missing in disasters or other times of need.

(c)  Inflicting harm, disability or death to a police dog, arson dog, assistance dog, game warden dog or search and rescue dog is a nonperson felony. Upon conviction of this subsection, a person shall be sentenced to not less than 30 days or more than one year's imprisonment and be fined not less than $ 500 nor more than $ 5,000. During the mandatory 30 days imprisonment, such offender shall have a psychological evaluation prepared for the court to assist the court in determining conditions of probation. Such conditions shall include, but not be limited to, the completion of an anger management program.

(d)  This section shall be part of and supplemental to the Kansas criminal code.

Kentucky:

Kentucky Penal Code, (Kentucky Revised Statue) KRS Section 525.010

Definitions for chapter.

  The following definitions apply in this chapter unless the context otherwise requires:

   (1) "Desecrate" means defacing, damaging, polluting, or otherwise physically mistreating in a way that the actor knows will outrage the sensibilities of persons likely to observe or discover his action.

   (2) "Public" means affecting or likely to affect a substantial group of persons.

   (3) "Public place" means a place to which the public or a substantial group of persons has access and includes but is not limited to highways, transportation facilities, schools, places of amusements, parks, places of business, playgrounds, and hallways, lobbies, and other portions of apartment houses and hotels not constituting rooms or apartments designed for actual residence. An act is deemed to occur in a public place if it produces its offensive or proscribed consequences in a public place.

   (4) "Transportation facility" means any conveyance, premises, or place used for or in connection with public passenger transportation by air, railroad, motor vehicle, or any other method. It includes aircraft, watercraft, railroad cars, buses, and air, boat, railroad, and bus terminals and stations and all appurtenances thereto.

   (5) "Riot" means a public disturbance involving an assemblage of five (5) or more persons which by tumultuous and violent conduct creates grave danger of damage or injury to property or persons or substantially obstructs law enforcement or other government function.

   (6) "Service animal" includes a:

      (a) "Bomb detection dog," which means a dog that is trained to locate bombs or explosives by scent;

      (b) "Narcotic detection dog," which means a dog that is trained to locate narcotics by scent;

      (c) "Patrol dog," which means a dog that is trained to protect a peace officer and to apprehend a person;

      (d) "Tracking dog," which means a dog that is trained to track and find a missing person, escaped inmate, or fleeing felon;

      (e) "Search and rescue dog," which means a dog that is trained to locate lost or missing persons, victims of natural or man-made disasters, and human bodies;

      (f) "Accelerant detection dog," which means a dog that is trained for accelerant detection, commonly referred to as arson canines;

      (g) "Cadaver dog," which means a dog that is trained to find human remains;

      (h) "Assistance dog," which means any dog that is trained to meet the requirements of KRS 258.500;

      (i) Any dog that is trained in more than one (1) of the disciplines specified in paragraphs (a) to (h) of this subsection; or

      (j) "Police horse," which means any horse that is owned, or the service of which is employed, by a law enforcement agency for the principal purpose of aiding in detection of criminal activity, enforcement of laws, and apprehension of offenders.

KRS § 525.200

Assault on a service animal in the first degree.

  (1) A person is guilty of assault on a service animal in the first degree when he intentionally and without legal justification or lawful authority kills or causes physical injury to a service animal to the extent that a service animal becomes physically incapable of ever returning to service.

(2) Assault on a service animal in the first degree is a Class D felony.

KRS § 525.205

Assault on a service animal in the second degree.

  (1) A person is guilty of assault on a service animal in the second degree when he intentionally and without legal justification or lawful authority causes physical injury to a service animal.

(2) Assault on a service animal in the second degree is a Class B misdemeanor.

KRS § 525.210

Duty status of service animal not a factor in application of KRS 525.200 and 525.205.

   KRS 525.200 and KRS 525.205 shall apply whether or not the service animal is on duty or off duty.

KRS § 525.215

 Defendant's liability for damages upon conviction of assault on a service animal.

  In any case in which a defendant is convicted of a violation of the provisions of KRS 525.200 or 525.205, the defendant may be ordered to make restitution to the person or agency owning the animal for any veterinary bills, replacement costs of the animal if it is disabled or killed, and the salary of the animal handler for the period of time his services are lost to the agency or self-employment.

KRS § 525.220

Bars and defenses to conviction of assault on a service animal.

  No person shall be convicted of assault on a service animal when:

   (1) He has also been convicted of a violation of KRS 525.125, 525.130, 512.020, 512.030, or 512.040 arising out of the same incident; or

   (2) He has destroyed or treated a service animal that is injured, diseased, or suffering or that constitutes a hazard to public safety if not destroyed; or

   (3) He has used physical force against the service animal in protection of himself or a third person; or

   (4) He has used physical force without knowledge that the animal was a service animal.

Louisiana:

Louisiana Revised Statute Section 14:102.8

Injuring or killing of a police animal

   A. Injuring or killing of a police animal is the intentional infliction of great bodily harm, permanent disability, or death upon a police animal.

B. As used in this Section:

   (1) "Police animal" means:

      (a) Any dog which is owned or the service of which is used by any state or local law enforcement agency for the principal purpose of aiding in the detection of criminal activity, enforcement of laws, or apprehension of offenders.

      (b) Any dog which is owned or the service of which is used by any public safety agency and which is trained in accordance with the standards of a national or regional search and rescue association to respond to instructions from its handler in the search for possibly deceased individuals and in the search and rescue of lost or missing individuals and which dog, together with its handler, is prepared to render search and rescue services at the request of a public safety agency.

      (c) Any horse which is used by a state or local law enforcement officer in the course of his official duty.

   (2) "Public safety agency" means any agency of the state or political subdivision of the state which provides or has authority to provide law enforcement, fire protection, emergency medical services, emergency preparedness services, or any other type of emergency services.

C. It shall be an affirmative defense to a prosecution under this Section when the injuring or killing of a police animal is committed with the reasonable belief by one not involved in or being apprehended for the commission of any offense or by one taken into custody that:

   (1) He is in imminent danger of losing his life or receiving great bodily harm and that the injuring or killing is necessary to save himself from that danger.

   (2) Another person not involved in or being apprehended for the commission of any offense is in imminent danger of losing his life or receiving great bodily harm and that the injury or killing is necessary to save that person from that danger.

   (3) His animal or other property not involved in the commission of any offense or in the apprehension of any person for an offense is in imminent danger of being destroyed or receiving grave injury or damage that may result in its destruction.

D. (1) Whoever commits the crime of injuring or killing of a police animal shall be fined not less than two thousand five hundred dollars nor more than three thousand five hundred dollars, or imprisoned with or without hard labor for not less than one year nor more than three years, or both.

   (2) Upon a second or subsequent conviction, regardless of whether the second or subsequent offense occurred before or after the first conviction, the offender shall be fined not less than two thousand five hundred dollars and not more than three thousand five hundred dollars, or imprisoned with or without hard labor for not less than five years nor more than seven years, or both.

E. In addition to the foregoing penalties, a person convicted under this Section may be ordered to make full restitution to the public safety agency suffering a financial loss from the injury or killing of a police animal. If a person ordered to make restitution pursuant to this Section is found to be indigent and therefore unable to make restitution in full at the time of conviction, the court shall order a periodic payment plan consistent with the person's financial ability.

Maine:

17 Maine Revised Statute Section 752-B

Unlawful interference with law enforcement dogs


    1. A person is guilty of unlawful interference with a law enforcement dog if the person intentionally or knowingly:
 
     A. Kills, mutilates or permanently disables any dog that is in fact
     certified for law enforcement use and that the person knows or
     reasonably should have known is used for law enforcement purposes.
     Violation of this paragraph is a Class C crime; or
 
     B. Torments, beats, strikes, injures, temporarily disables or
     otherwise mistreats any dog that is in fact certified for law
     enforcement use and that the person knows or reasonably should have
     known is used for law enforcement purposes. Violation of this
     paragraph is a Class D crime.
 
   2. For the purposes of this section, a dog is certified for law enforcement use if the State has certified that the dog has satisfactorily completed requisite training for one or more law enforcement purposes.

Maryland:

Maryland Criminal Law Code Section 10-606

Aggravated cruelty to animals -- In general

   (a) Prohibited. -- A person may not:

   (1) intentionally mutilate, torture, cruelly beat, or cruelly kill an animal;

   (2) cause, procure, or authorize an act prohibited under item (1) of this subsection; or

   (3) except in the case of self-defense, intentionally inflict bodily harm, permanent disability, or death on an animal owned or used by a law enforcement unit.

(b) Penalty. --

   (1) A person who violates this section is guilty of the felony of aggravated cruelty to animals and on conviction is subject to imprisonment not exceeding 3 years or a fine not exceeding $ 5,000 or both.

   (2) As a condition of sentencing, the court may order a defendant convicted of violating this section to participate in and pay for psychological counseling.

Massachusetts:

Laws of Massachusetts Chapter 272 Section 77A

Willful Injury of Police Dogs and Horses.

  Whoever willfully tortures, torments, beats, kicks, strikes, mutilates, injures, disables or otherwise mistreats, a dog or horse owned by a police department or police agency of the commonwealth or any of its political subdivisions or whoever, willfully by any action whatsoever, interferes with the lawful performance of such dog or horse shall be punished by a fine of not less than one hundred dollars and not more than five hundred dollars or by imprisonment for not more than two and one-half years or both. Persons violating this section may be arrested without a warrant by any officer qualified to serve criminal process provided said offense is committed in his presence.

Michigan:

Michigan Penal Code Section 750.50c

Police dog or police horse; definitions; violation as felony or misdemeanor; penalty; other violations.


   Sec. 50c. (1) As used in this section:
   (a) "Dog handler" means a peace officer who has successfully completed training in the handling of a police dog pursuant to a policy of the law enforcement agency that employs that peace officer.
   (b) "Physical harm" means any injury to a dog's or horse's physical condition.
   (c) "Police dog" means a dog used by a law enforcement agency of this state or of a local unit of government of this state that is trained for law enforcement work and subject to the control of a dog handler.
   (d) "Police horse" means a horse used by a law enforcement agency of this state or of a local unit of government of this state for law enforcement work.
   (e) "Search and rescue dog" means a dog that is trained for, being trained for, or engaged in a search and rescue operation.
   (f) "Search and rescue operation" means an effort conducted at the direction of an agency of this state or of a political subdivision of this state to locate or rescue a lost, injured, or deceased individual.
   (g) "Serious physical harm" means any injury to a dog's or horse's physical condition or welfare that is not necessarily permanent but that constitutes substantial body disfigurement, or that seriously impairs the function of a body organ or limb.
   (2) A person shall not intentionally kill or cause serious physical harm to a police dog or police horse  or a search and rescue dog .
   (3) A person shall not intentionally cause physical harm to a police dog or police horse  or a search and rescue dog .
   (4) A person shall not intentionally harass or interfere with a police dog or police horse  or search and rescue dog  lawfully performing its duties.
   (5) A person who violates subsection (2) is guilty of a felony punishable by imprisonment for not more than 5 years or a fine of not more than  $10,000.00 , or both.
   (6) Except as provided in subsection (7), a person who violates subsection (3) or (4) is guilty of a misdemeanor punishable by imprisonment for not more than 1 year or a fine of not more than  $5,000.00 , or both.
   (7) A person who violates subsection (3) or (4) while committing a crime is guilty of a felony punishable by imprisonment for not more than 2 years or a fine of not more than  $15,000.00 , or both.
   (8) This section does not prohibit an individual from being charged with, convicted of, or punished for any other violation of law committed by that individual while violating this section.

Minnesota:

Minnesota Statute Section 609.596

KILLING OR HARMING A PUBLIC SAFETY DOG

Subdivision 1. Felony.

It is a felony for any person to intentionally and without justification cause the death of a police dog, a search and rescue dog, or an arson dog when the dog is involved in law enforcement, fire, or correctional investigation or apprehension, search and rescue duties, or the dog is in the custody of or under the control of a peace officer, a trained handler, or an employee of a correctional facility. A person convicted under this subdivision may be sentenced to imprisonment for not more than two years or to payment of a fine of not more than $5,000, or both. In lieu of a fine, the court may order the defendant to pay restitution to the owner to replace the police dog, search and rescue dog, or arson dog, in an amount not to exceed $5,000.

Subd. 2. Gross misdemeanor.

It is a gross misdemeanor for any person to intentionally and without justification cause substantial or great bodily harm to a police dog, search and rescue dog, or an arson dog when the dog is involved in law enforcement, fire, or correctional investigation or apprehension, search and rescue duties, or the dog is in the custody of or under the control of a peace officer, a trained handler, or an employee of a correctional facility.

Subd. 3. Definitions.

As used in this section:

(1) "arson dog" means a dog that has been certified as an arson dog by a state fire or police agency or by an independent testing laboratory;

(2) "correctional facility" has the meaning given in section 241.021, subdivision 1, paragraph (f);


(3) "peace officer" has the meaning given in section 626.84, subdivision 1, paragraph (c); and


(4) "search and rescue dog" means a dog that is trained to locate lost or missing persons, victims of natural or other disasters, and human bodies.

Mississippi:

Mississippi Code Section 97-41-23

Injury and killing of public service animals; penalties

   (1) It is unlawful for any person to willfully and maliciously taunt, torment, tease, beat, strike, or to administer, expose or inject any desensitizing drugs, chemicals or substance to any public service animal. Any person who violates this section is guilty of a misdemeanor, and upon conviction thereof shall be fined not more than Two Hundred Dollars ($ 200.00) and be imprisoned not more than five (5) days, or both.

(2) Any person who, without just cause, purposely kills or injures any public service animal is guilty of a felony and upon conviction shall be fined not more than Five Thousand Dollars ($ 5,000.00) and be imprisoned not more than five (5) years, or both.

(3) For purposes of this section, the term "public service animal" means any animal trained and used to assist a law enforcement agency, public safety entity or search and rescue agency.

(4) Any person guilty of violating subsection (2) of this section shall also be required to make restitution to the law enforcement agency or owner aggrieved thereby.

(5) The provisions of this section shall not apply to the lawful practice of veterinary medicine.

Missouri:

Missouri Revised Statute Section 575.010

Definitions

   The following definitions shall apply to this chapter and chapter 576, RSMo:

   (1) "Affidavit" means any written statement which is authorized or required by law to be made under oath, and which is sworn to before a person authorized to administer oaths;

   (2) "Government" means any branch or agency of the government of this state or of any political subdivision thereof;

   (3) "Highway" means any public road or thoroughfare for vehicles, including state roads, county roads and public streets, avenues, boulevards, parkways or alleys in any municipality;

   (4) "Judicial proceeding" means any official proceeding in court, or any proceeding authorized by or held under the supervision of a court;

   (5) "Juror" means a grand or petit juror, including a person who has been drawn or summoned to attend as a prospective juror;

   (6) "Jury" means a grand or petit jury, including any panel which has been drawn or summoned to attend as prospective jurors;

   (7) "Official proceeding" means any cause, matter, or proceeding where the laws of this state require that evidence considered therein be under oath or affirmation;

   (8) "Police animal" means a dog, horse or other animal used in law enforcement or a correctional facility, or by a municipal police department, fire department, search and rescue unit or agency, whether the animal is on duty or not on duty. The term shall include, but not be limited to, accelerant detection dogs, bomb detection dogs, narcotic detection dogs, search and rescue dogs and tracking animals;

   (9) "Public record" means any document which a public servant is required by law to keep;

   (10) "Testimony" means any oral statement under oath or affirmation;

   (11) "Victim" means any natural person against whom any crime is deemed to have been perpetrated or attempted;

   (12) "Witness" means any natural person:

      (a) Having knowledge of the existence or nonexistence of facts relating to any crime; or

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