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Committee expands protections for police service animals to include other public‑safety animals
Summary
First substitute to Senate Bill 77 broadened existing criminal protection language for police dogs to apply to animals used by public-safety agencies (police, fire, military and search-and-rescue). The committee adopted the substitute and recommended the bill 4–0.
The committee adopted a first substitute to Senate Bill 77 to expand criminal-protection language from police service dogs to ‘‘animals’’ used by public-safety organizations and to coordinate the language with a related House bill.
Sponsor Senator Plumb said the change originated from a sheriff’s deputy who noted rural officers commonly use horses and other animals in their work; the substitute therefore changes references that previously mentioned only canines to encompass other working animals and the bill’s scope to include firefighting and military public-safety functions.
Why it matters: The substitute clarifies that the enhanced penalties and protections that apply when a law-enforcement canine is injured or killed also apply to other animals used by public-safety organizations, removing an apparent gap in current statute.
Committee action and public input: Committee members adopted the first substitute and then voted to favorably recommend the amended bill by voice vote, 4–0. Testimony included support from public-safety stakeholders and no recorded opposition.
Ending: The measure was advanced with the committee noting coordination with House Bill 21 and confirming stakeholder support.
