1. K9 Protection Laws: Keeping Our Four-LeggedK9 Protection Laws: Keeping Our Four-Legged
LEOs Safe in the U.S.LEOs Safe in the U.S.
Christina McWhinnieChristina McWhinnie
CRJS495 – Senior Research ProjectCRJS495 – Senior Research Project
Mount Washington CollegeMount Washington College
04/20/1604/20/16

2. The First K9:The First K9:
 The usage of K9s (policeThe usage of K9s (police
service dogs), specifically inservice dogs), specifically in
law enforcement, dates backlaw enforcement, dates back
to theto the Middle AgesMiddle Ages !!!!
 K9s vary in breeds and areK9s vary in breeds and are
used worldwide for a variety ofused worldwide for a variety of
different activities to assist lawdifferent activities to assist law
enforcement.enforcement.
 The most common breed ofThe most common breed of
dog used for law enforcementdog used for law enforcement
is the German Shepherd, seenis the German Shepherd, seen
here.here.

3. K9 Uses, cont.K9 Uses, cont.
 K9s are utilized by lawK9s are utilized by law
enforcement for moreenforcement for more
things than most realize,things than most realize,
such as:such as:
 Drug and explosiveDrug and explosive
detectiondetection
 Spent ammunition shellSpent ammunition shell
locationlocation
 Lost/missing personsLost/missing persons
 Retrieving suspects fromRetrieving suspects from
hard-to-reach placeshard-to-reach places

4. Why Do K9s Need Protection?Why Do K9s Need Protection?
 In law enforcement and theIn law enforcement and the
military, the K9s are subjected tomilitary, the K9s are subjected to
situations that are just assituations that are just as
dangerous (and sometimes moredangerous (and sometimes more
so) than their human counterparts.so) than their human counterparts.
 K9s do not have the ability to carryK9s do not have the ability to carry
weapons, like the subjects thatweapons, like the subjects that
they are sent in to retrieve canthey are sent in to retrieve can
(aside from their teeth!).(aside from their teeth!).
 Therefore, there should be lawsTherefore, there should be laws
protecting K9s, to deter would-beprotecting K9s, to deter would-be
‘assassins’ from injuring/killing‘assassins’ from injuring/killing
K9s.K9s.

5. Who Has Laws Protecting K9s?Who Has Laws Protecting K9s?
Fortunately,Fortunately, allall states in the U.S., to one degree or another, have lawsstates in the U.S., to one degree or another, have laws
protecting K9s….protecting K9s….exceptexcept ColoradoColorado. Their law groups police K9s in with. Their law groups police K9s in with
“civilian dogs,” so it would be the “something is better than nothing”“civilian dogs,” so it would be the “something is better than nothing”
scenario.scenario.

6. Differing Laws, Based UponDiffering Laws, Based Upon
Location – Felony StatesLocation – Felony States
Many states in ourMany states in our
country considercountry consider
harming/killing aharming/killing a
police dog/K9 apolice dog/K9 a
felony,felony, no matterno matter
whatwhat.. Those statesThose states
are listed to the right.are listed to the right.
 Arizona,Arizona,
 Arkansas,Arkansas,
 Delaware,Delaware,
 Florida,Florida,
 Indiana,Indiana,
 Kansas,Kansas,
 Missouri,Missouri,
 Pennsylvania,Pennsylvania,
 Virginia,Virginia,
 Washington,Washington,
 Wisconsin,Wisconsin,
 Wyoming, andWyoming, and
 Federally.Federally.

7. Differing Laws, Based UponDiffering Laws, Based Upon
Location – “Contingency” StatesLocation – “Contingency” States
Some states in our countrySome states in our country
deem it a misdemeanordeem it a misdemeanor
oror a felony,a felony, contingentcontingent
upon the severity of theupon the severity of the
harm inflicted upon theharm inflicted upon the
K9. Those states areK9. Those states are
listed to the right.listed to the right.
 Alabama,Alabama,
 California,California,
 Georgia,Georgia,
 Hawaii,Hawaii,
 Iowa,Iowa,
 Maryland,Maryland,
 Michigan,Michigan,
 Minnesota,Minnesota,
 Mississippi,Mississippi,
 Nebraska,Nebraska,
 Nevada,Nevada,
 New Hampshire,New Hampshire,
 New Jersey,New Jersey,
 New Mexico,New Mexico,
 New York,New York,
 North Carolina,North Carolina,
 North Dakota,North Dakota,
 Ohio,Ohio,
 Oregon,Oregon,
 Tennessee (recently),Tennessee (recently),
 Texas,Texas,
 Utah, andUtah, and
 West Virginia.West Virginia.

8. Differing Laws, Based UponDiffering Laws, Based Upon
Location – Misdemeanor StatesLocation – Misdemeanor States
Some states in ourSome states in our
country considercountry consider
harming a K9 aharming a K9 a
misdemeanormisdemeanor. Those. Those
states are listed to thestates are listed to the
right.right.
 Alaska,Alaska,
 Illinois,Illinois,
 Kentucky (felonyKentucky (felony
pending),pending),
 Massachusetts,Massachusetts,
 South Carolina, andSouth Carolina, and
 South DakotaSouth Dakota

9. Differing Laws, Based UponDiffering Laws, Based Upon
Location – Unclassified StatesLocation – Unclassified States
Still other states in ourStill other states in our
countrycountry havehave lawslaws
currently in effect,currently in effect,
protecting K9s,protecting K9s,
however, they arehowever, they are
unclassifiedunclassified
(considered neither(considered neither
felony norfelony nor
misdemeanor). Thosemisdemeanor). Those
states are listed to thestates are listed to the
right.right.
 Connecticut,Connecticut,
 Louisiana,Louisiana,
 Maine,Maine,
 Montana,Montana,
 Rhode Island, andRhode Island, and
 Vermont.Vermont.

10. Make it Stop!Make it Stop!
 There have beenThere have been 1111 K9 deaths so far in 2016K9 deaths so far in 2016 alone:alone: oneone
asphyxiation, one drowned, three struck by a vehicle, oneasphyxiation, one drowned, three struck by a vehicle, one
stabbed, and five by gunfire (one accidental) (ODMP.org).stabbed, and five by gunfire (one accidental) (ODMP.org).
This is unacceptable, and we need to work together to keepThis is unacceptable, and we need to work together to keep
K9s safe to keep fighting the good fight with their humanK9s safe to keep fighting the good fight with their human
partners.partners.

11. References:References:
 2013 Mississippi Code :: Title 97 - CRIMES :: Chapter 41 - CRUELTY TO ANIMALS :: § 97-41-23 - Injury and killing of public service2013 Mississippi Code :: Title 97 - CRIMES :: Chapter 41 - CRUELTY TO ANIMALS :: § 97-41-23 - Injury and killing of public service
animals; penalties. (n.d.). Retrieved April 16, 2016, fromanimals; penalties. (n.d.). Retrieved April 16, 2016, from http://law.justia.com/codes/mississippi/2013/title-97/chapter-41/section-97-41-23http://law.justia.com/codes/mississippi/2013/title-97/chapter-41/section-97-41-23
 2015 Minnesota Statutes. (n.d.). Retrieved April 16, 2016, from2015 Minnesota Statutes. (n.d.). Retrieved April 16, 2016, from https://https://www.revisor.mn.govwww.revisor.mn.gov/statutes/?id=609.596/statutes/?id=609.596
 Alaska Statutes: AS 11.56.710. Harming a Police Dog in the Second Degree. (n.d.). Retrieved April 16, 2016, fromAlaska Statutes: AS 11.56.710. Harming a Police Dog in the Second Degree. (n.d.). Retrieved April 16, 2016, from
http://touchngo.com/lglcntr/akstats/Statutes/Title11/Chapter56/Section710.htmhttp://touchngo.com/lglcntr/akstats/Statutes/Title11/Chapter56/Section710.htm
 Arizona State Legislature. (n.d.). Retrieved April 16, 2016, fromArizona State Legislature. (n.d.). Retrieved April 16, 2016, from http://http://www.azleg.gov/FormatDocument.asp?inDocwww.azleg.gov/FormatDocument.asp?inDoc=/ars/13/02910.htm=/ars/13/02910.htm
 Aron's Law: A Bill Proposed In Tennessee To Protect Service Dogs - 3MillionDogs. (2015). Retrieved April 16, 2016, fromAron's Law: A Bill Proposed In Tennessee To Protect Service Dogs - 3MillionDogs. (2015). Retrieved April 16, 2016, from
http://3milliondogs.com/dogbook/arons-law-a-bill-proposed-in-tennessee-to-protect-service-dogs/http://3milliondogs.com/dogbook/arons-law-a-bill-proposed-in-tennessee-to-protect-service-dogs/
 Cilenti, M. (n.d.). New York City Bar. Retrieved April 16, 2016, fromCilenti, M. (n.d.). New York City Bar. Retrieved April 16, 2016, from
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 Code of Alabama. (n.d.). Retrieved April 16, 2016, fromCode of Alabama. (n.d.). Retrieved April 16, 2016, from
https://www.animallaw.info/statute/al-cruelty-alabama-consolidated-cruelty-statutes#s263https://www.animallaw.info/statute/al-cruelty-alabama-consolidated-cruelty-statutes#s263
 Full Statute Name: Consolidated Assistance Animal/Guide Dog Laws. (n.d.). Retrieved April 16, 2016, fromFull Statute Name: Consolidated Assistance Animal/Guide Dog Laws. (n.d.). Retrieved April 16, 2016, from
https://www.animallaw.info/statute/nc-assistance-animals-assistance-animalguide-dog-laws#s14_163_1https://www.animallaw.info/statute/nc-assistance-animals-assistance-animalguide-dog-laws#s14_163_1
 Full Statute Name: West's Annotated Code of West Virginia. Chapter 5A; Chapter 7. County Commissions and Officers; Chapter 19.Full Statute Name: West's Annotated Code of West Virginia. Chapter 5A; Chapter 7. County Commissions and Officers; Chapter 19.
Agriculture; Chapter 20. Natural Resources. (n.d.). Retrieved April 16, 2016, fromAgriculture; Chapter 20. Natural Resources. (n.d.). Retrieved April 16, 2016, from
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 Full Statute Name: West's Code of Georgia Annotated. Title 4. Animals; Title 16. Crimes and Offenses; Title 27. Game and Fish. (n.d.).Full Statute Name: West's Code of Georgia Annotated. Title 4. Animals; Title 16. Crimes and Offenses; Title 27. Game and Fish. (n.d.).
Retrieved April 16, 2016, fromRetrieved April 16, 2016, from https://https://www.animallaw.info/statute/gawww.animallaw.info/statute/ga-dog-consolidated-dog-laws-dog-consolidated-dog-laws
 Full Statute Name: West's Wyoming Statutes Annotated. Title 6. Crimes and Offenses; Title 11. Agriculture, Livestock and Other Animals.Full Statute Name: West's Wyoming Statutes Annotated. Title 6. Crimes and Offenses; Title 11. Agriculture, Livestock and Other Animals.
Chapter 31. Dogs and Cats; Title 15. Cities and Towns; Title 23. Game and Fish; and Chapter 30. Veterinarians. (n.d.). Retrieved April 16,Chapter 31. Dogs and Cats; Title 15. Cities and Towns; Title 23. Game and Fish; and Chapter 30. Veterinarians. (n.d.). Retrieved April 16,
2016, from2016, from https://https://www.animallaw.info/statute/wywww.animallaw.info/statute/wy-dog-consolidated-dog-laws-dog-consolidated-dog-laws
 HB 1270 criminally prohibit the killing or harming of a... (n.d.). Retrieved April 16, 2016, fromHB 1270 criminally prohibit the killing or harming of a... (n.d.). Retrieved April 16, 2016, from
http://legis.sd.gov/sessions/2000/bills/HB1270P.htmhttp://legis.sd.gov/sessions/2000/bills/HB1270P.htm
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http://www.kslegislature.org/li_2012/b2011_12/statute/021_000_0000_chapter/021_064_0000_article/021_064_0016_section/021_064_0016_k/http://www.kslegislature.org/li_2012/b2011_12/statute/021_000_0000_chapter/021_064_0000_article/021_064_0016_section/021_064_0016_k/
 Legislators prefile bill to stiffen penalties for killing police dogs. (n.d.). Retrieved April 16, 2016, fromLegislators prefile bill to stiffen penalties for killing police dogs. (n.d.). Retrieved April 16, 2016, from
http://www.greenvilleonline.com/story/news/2015/12/28/legislators-prefile-bill-stiffen-penalties-killing-police-dogs/77982634/http://www.greenvilleonline.com/story/news/2015/12/28/legislators-prefile-bill-stiffen-penalties-killing-police-dogs/77982634/
 Louisiana State Legislature. (n.d.). Retrieved April 16, 2016, fromLouisiana State Legislature. (n.d.). Retrieved April 16, 2016, from

12. References, Cont.References, Cont.
 http://http://www.legis.la.gov/legis/Law.aspx?dwww.legis.la.gov/legis/Law.aspx?d=78251=78251
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 NRS: CHAPTER 574 - CRUELTY TO ANIMALS: PREVENTION AND PENALTIES. (n.d.). Retrieved April 16, 2016, fromNRS: CHAPTER 574 - CRUELTY TO ANIMALS: PREVENTION AND PENALTIES. (n.d.). Retrieved April 16, 2016, from
https://www.leg.state.nv.us/nrs/NRS-574.htmlhttps://www.leg.state.nv.us/nrs/NRS-574.html
 New Mexico Compilation Commission. (n.d.). Retrieved April 16, 2016, fromNew Mexico Compilation Commission. (n.d.). Retrieved April 16, 2016, from http://http://public.nmcompcomm.us/nmpublic/gateway.dll/?fpublic.nmcompcomm.us/nmpublic/gateway.dll/?f==
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 Patchin, Justin W.Patchin, Justin W. 140 Character Summaries of Popular Criminological Theories.140 Character Summaries of Popular Criminological Theories. Retrieved from online on 04/03/16 fromRetrieved from online on 04/03/16 from
http://hesseronline.mrooms3.net/pluginfile.php/441011/mod_resource/content/1/Chttp://hesseronline.mrooms3.net/pluginfile.php/441011/mod_resource/content/1/Crime_Theory_Tweets.pdfrime_Theory_Tweets.pdf
 Penalty for Harming Police Dogs Increased Under New Pa. Law. (2014). Retrieved April 16, 2016, fromPenalty for Harming Police Dogs Increased Under New Pa. Law. (2014). Retrieved April 16, 2016, from
http://patch.com/pennsylvania/roxborough/penalty-for-harming-police-animals-increased-under-new-pa-lawhttp://patch.com/pennsylvania/roxborough/penalty-for-harming-police-animals-increased-under-new-pa-law
 Pepperl, J. M. (n.d.). Revised Statutes of Nebraska. Retrieved April 16, 2016, fromPepperl, J. M. (n.d.). Revised Statutes of Nebraska. Retrieved April 16, 2016, from
http://www.nebraskalegislature.gov/pdf/revisor/2008reissue_v2.pdfhttp://www.nebraskalegislature.gov/pdf/revisor/2008reissue_v2.pdf
 RCW 9a.76.200: Harming a police dog, accelerant detection dog, or police horse-Penalty. (n.d.). Retrieved April 16, 2016, fromRCW 9a.76.200: Harming a police dog, accelerant detection dog, or police horse-Penalty. (n.d.). Retrieved April 16, 2016, from http://http://
app.leg.wa.gov/rcw/default.aspx?citeapp.leg.wa.gov/rcw/default.aspx?cite=9a.76.200=9a.76.200
 Robinson, B. (2016). Federal Law Now Protects Canine Cops. Retrieved April 16, 2016, fromRobinson, B. (2016). Federal Law Now Protects Canine Cops. Retrieved April 16, 2016, from http://http://abcnews.go.com/US/story?idabcnews.go.com/US/story?id=96229=96229
 SB2699. (n.d.). Retrieved April 16, 2016, fromSB2699. (n.d.). Retrieved April 16, 2016, from http://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/session2004/bills/SB2699_.htmhttp://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/session2004/bills/SB2699_.htm
 Section: 575.0350 Until December 31, 2016--Killing or disabling a police animal--penalty. RSMO 575.350. (n.d.). Retrieved April 16, 2016,Section: 575.0350 Until December 31, 2016--Killing or disabling a police animal--penalty. RSMO 575.350. (n.d.). Retrieved April 16, 2016,
fromfrom http://www.moga.mo.gov/mostatutes/stathtml/57500003502.htmlhttp://www.moga.mo.gov/mostatutes/stathtml/57500003502.html
 Senate Bill 52. (n.d.). Retrieved April 16, 2016, fromSenate Bill 52. (n.d.). Retrieved April 16, 2016, from http://mgaleg.maryland.gov/1997rs/bills/sb/sb0052f.pdfhttp://mgaleg.maryland.gov/1997rs/bills/sb/sb0052f.pdf
 Senate votes to toughen penalty for attacking police dogs. (n.d.). Retrieved April 16, 2016, fromSenate votes to toughen penalty for attacking police dogs. (n.d.). Retrieved April 16, 2016, from
http://www.wymt.com/content/news/Senate-votes-to-toughen-penalty-for-attacking-police-dogs-371078761.html?utm_medium=socialhttp://www.wymt.com/content/news/Senate-votes-to-toughen-penalty-for-attacking-police-dogs-371078761.html?utm_medium=social
 State of Delaware - Search and Services/Information. (n.d.). Retrieved April 16, 2016, fromState of Delaware - Search and Services/Information. (n.d.). Retrieved April 16, 2016, from
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 Statutes. (n.d.). Retrieved April 16, 2016, fromStatutes. (n.d.). Retrieved April 16, 2016, from http://www.policek9.com/html/body_statutes.html#Californiahttp://www.policek9.com/html/body_statutes.html#California

13. References, Cont.References, Cont.
 http://patch.com/pennsylvania/roxborough/penalty-for-harming-police-animals-increased-under-new-pa-lawhttp://patch.com/pennsylvania/roxborough/penalty-for-harming-police-animals-increased-under-new-pa-law
 Pepperl, J. M. (n.d.). Revised Statutes of Nebraska. Retrieved April 16, 2016, fromPepperl, J. M. (n.d.). Revised Statutes of Nebraska. Retrieved April 16, 2016, from
http://www.nebraskalegislature.gov/pdf/revisor/2008reissue_v2.pdfhttp://www.nebraskalegislature.gov/pdf/revisor/2008reissue_v2.pdf
 RCW 9a.76.200: Harming a police dog, accelerant detection dog, or police horse-Penalty. (n.d.). Retrieved AprilRCW 9a.76.200: Harming a police dog, accelerant detection dog, or police horse-Penalty. (n.d.). Retrieved April
16, 2016, from16, 2016, from http://http://app.leg.wa.gov/rcw/default.aspx?citeapp.leg.wa.gov/rcw/default.aspx?cite=9a.76.200=9a.76.200
 Robinson, B. (2016). Federal Law Now Protects Canine Cops. Retrieved April 16, 2016, fromRobinson, B. (2016). Federal Law Now Protects Canine Cops. Retrieved April 16, 2016, from http://http://
abcnews.go.com/US/story?idabcnews.go.com/US/story?id=96229=96229
 SB2699. (n.d.). Retrieved April 16, 2016, fromSB2699. (n.d.). Retrieved April 16, 2016, from http://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/session2004/bills/SB2699_.htmhttp://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/session2004/bills/SB2699_.htm
 Section: 575.0350 Until December 31, 2016--Killing or disabling a police animal--penalty. RSMO 575.350. (n.d.).Section: 575.0350 Until December 31, 2016--Killing or disabling a police animal--penalty. RSMO 575.350. (n.d.).
Retrieved April 16, 2016, fromRetrieved April 16, 2016, from http://www.moga.mo.gov/mostatutes/stathtml/57500003502.htmlhttp://www.moga.mo.gov/mostatutes/stathtml/57500003502.html
 Senate Bill 52. (n.d.). Retrieved April 16, 2016, fromSenate Bill 52. (n.d.). Retrieved April 16, 2016, from http://mgaleg.maryland.gov/1997rs/bills/sb/sb0052f.pdfhttp://mgaleg.maryland.gov/1997rs/bills/sb/sb0052f.pdf
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http://www.wymt.com/content/news/Senate-votes-to-toughen-penalty-for-attacking-police-dogs-371078761.html?utm_medihttp://www.wymt.com/content/news/Senate-votes-to-toughen-penalty-for-attacking-police-dogs-371078761.html?utm_medi
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 Photos: Google SearchPhotos: Google Search