The New York State Senate and Assembly passed legislation to increase penalties for killing a police dog or police horse while it is in the line of duty. Assemblyman Kenneth Zebrowski (D-New City) sponsored the Assembly bill, which makes killing a police animal a felony level offense. The bill recognizes the roles they fill in crime solving, rescue and recovery operations and other duties by creating a felony-level offense.
“The role of police animals has significantly expanded over the past few years leading to increased use in investigations and apprehensions,” stated Zebrowski. “These animals provide protection, assistance and improve public safety. State and local police invest a great deal of time and resources in the training of these extraordinary animals. These animals are viewed and respected as ordinary police officers and we should begin to reflect that by increasing the penalty for killing them.”
Under current law, killing a police animal is a Class A misdemeanor. The legislation passed by both houses Tuesday would make such an action a class E felony, punishable by up to four years in prison, the highest penalty for killing an animal in the state.
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