Kansas legislators have passed a bill that would increase penalties for killing police dogs and horses, inspired by a suspect’s strangling of a police dog in Wichita last year. The bill, which received bipartisan support, would allow first-time offenders to be sentenced to more than three years in prison for killing a police animal, with harsher penalties if the killing occurs when a suspect is trying to elude law enforcement. The current penalty for killing a police dog is up to a year behind bars and a fine of between $500 and $5,000, and the law doesn’t specifically cover horses. House Speaker Dan Hawkins stated that there is a lot of time and money invested in these animals, making it important to have a harsh penalty for their killing.
The measure now awaits approval from Democratic Gov. Laura Kelly, who has not publicly stated whether she will sign it. Similar measures increasing penalties for killing police dogs and horses have been passed in other states, including Colorado, Missouri, and West Virginia. The Kansas bill was specifically inspired by the death of Bane, an 8-year-old Wichita police dog, who was killed by a suspect in a domestic violence case by strangulation. These measures have faced criticism from some who question how police dogs are used in policing, especially in cases involving suspects of color. Critics argue that police dogs have caused serious injuries and fatalities in attacks and that individuals attacked by police dogs may try to defend themselves.
The use of police dogs has a contentious history, with some pointing to their use by Southern authorities during the Civil Rights Movement as problematic. Despite this, supporters of the bill argue that police animals receive extensive training and play a vital role in law enforcement operations, making it crucial to protect them. The proposed legislation in Kansas aims to ensure that individuals who harm police animals face significant consequences for their actions, with offenders potentially facing up to five years in prison and a fine of up to $10,000. Ultimately, the bill reflects a broader trend of increasing penalties for harming police animals in various states across the country. This movement towards stronger protections for police dogs and horses highlights the valuable role these animals play in assisting law enforcement agencies and underscores the need to hold accountable those who intentionally harm them.
