On February 14th, the Kansas Legislature unanimously passed a bill that aims to make the killing of police dogs and horses a criminal offense. This legislation is seen as a significant step towards protecting these animals and ensuring that those responsible for their harm are held accountable.
The Bane’s Law, also known as Senate Bill 123, received overwhelming support in the vote, with 107 in favor and only 4 opposed. The bill will now move forward to the state Senate for further consideration.
Kansas House Bill 2583 has recently passed, bringing significant changes to the punishment for killing a police dog. Under this new legislation, the act of killing a police dog will be elevated to a felony offense. Offenders will now face a minimum of 90 days of incarceration and a hefty fine of $10,000. Additionally, the bill mandates restitution for the loss, which includes covering the expenses associated with training a new law enforcement dog, as well as any veterinary treatment costs and burial expenses. This new law aims to protect and honor the invaluable service that police dogs provide to our communities.
Kansas House Speaker Dan Hawkins expressed his determination to improve the legal protection for police dogs, highlighting the need for stricter penalties for those who harm or kill these heroic animals. Recognizing the invaluable role they play as partners to their officer/handlers, Hawkins emphasized the importance of treating police service dogs, like K-9 Bane, as integral members of the police department. By advocating for this significant law, Hawkins aims to safeguard the well-being of law enforcement animals who selflessly serve the people of Kansas on a daily basis.
During the Kansas House debate on Tuesday, there was a significant amount of support for the topic at hand. However, a representative named Ford Carr from Wichita raised some concerns and questioned the prevailing sentiment.
During the debate, Carr expressed his opinion that the suspect would not have been able to reason with the animal. He also pointed out that no one called the animal off, leading him to believe that the consequences were a bit harsh.
In his remarks on the House floor, Carr brought attention to the historical deployment of police dogs against African American communities during peaceful protests.
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