TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) - People who kill or seriously injure police dogs in Florida soon could face tougher penalties under legislation the state House has sent to Gov. Ron DeSantis.
The bill passed 116-0 Thursday would make that crime a second-degree felony punishable by up to 15 years in prison. It’s now a third-degree felony punishable by up to five years in prison.
Republican Sen. Aaron Bean of Jacksonville said previously his bill was inspired after a K-9 named Fang was killed in his hometown last year. The 3-year-old German shepherd was slain as police chased a 17-year-old carjacking suspect.
People were interested in these podcasts
House members shared similar stories about killings of police dogs in their areas.
The Senate passed the measure earlier this month.
Please read our comment policy before commenting.