US States Move to Strengthen Penalties for Harming Police Animals

Legislation across six states proposes increased fines and prison sentences for injuring or killing police dogs and horses, sparking bipartisan support and debate.

Lawmakers in six US states are considering legislation to impose harsher penalties for harming or killing police dogs and horses, with proposals including longer prison sentences and higher fines.
The measures have garnered bipartisan support, though concerns have been raised about the historical and current use of police animals in marginalized communities.
In Kansas, a bill named 'Bane's Law' after a police dog killed in the line of duty, proposes up to five years in prison and a minimum fine of $10,000 for first-time offenders.
Similar legislation is being considered in Colorado, Missouri, Hawaii, South Carolina, and West Virginia, with some states already advancing their bills to the Senate.
Critics of the proposed laws highlight instances of police dogs causing injuries, recalling the use of dogs against peaceful protesters during the Civil Rights Movement and recent cases of excessive force.