Why should it be a felony to injure a police dog?

Answer 1

Here in the State of Illinois it costs roughly $12,000.00 to initially train a Police K-9. That is just for the dog. Obviously its handler is paid his salary to become certified. The Police K-9 position is one of the most trained for positions in any agency and requires a number of man hours per week to upkeep the dog's skills. This is a serious expense for tax payers but the overall benefits eventually do out way the cost.

The handler's responsibility to maintain training records, keep up to date on case law, and constant medical upkeep for a canine is tremendous. Having said this it is without question agencies and States will protect investments made into these programs. One way to accomplish that is to “ Raise the stakes “ and enforce stiffer penalties on criminals who attempt to harm the sworn animal. As mentioned above the Police Canine is a sworn animal and is considered an officially sworn member of the Police Department with badge and all. He/she is not your average dog and is responsible for supplementing additional security to members if its own department as well as agencies nearby. They are highly sought after and have many uses such as the ones listed below.

Protection (Release and apprehend)
Tracking of suspects (Human scent)
Article searches (Locating proceeds from a burglary abandoned. Gun thrown into a field)
Building searches
Drug detection
Cadaver and human life recovery (Both in and out of water)
Public demonstrations in schools (Public Relations)
Some dogs can detect accelerants during fire investigations to determine if arson was the cause

Answer 2

Yes, it is a felony. However, if you kill the animal you cannot be given the death penalty but be prepared to spend a good deal of time in prison.

Peace.

EDIT: Sorry, misread the question. I think it should be a very serious offense to injure the animal as it is a trained law enforcement official. The animal should be given a measure of respect as you would any officer. The dog has a job to do and if you are breaking the law the dog will do it's job.

The dog is given the same status as any crime fighting instrument such as a patrol car. If in committing a crime you destroy police property you can be held accountable, as you should be.

Peace.

Answer 3

In Canada there are no special charges for harming a police dog. The person would be charged with the same thing if they injured ANY dog (cruelty to animals, or killing an animal) or maybe mischief to property. Police dogs cost lots of money to train (in actual training costs and man hours) and are as a result considered valuable. The judge may give a higher penalty for offences pertaining to police dogs because they are police service animals and they are so costly to replace.

Answer 4

A police dog is the same as a police man. Species is irrelevant - the dog serves in the force.

Answer 5

Because the dog is putting his life on the line just like the officer is. Also, alot of tax money went into the training of the dog. Lastly, if it weren't there would be groups like PETA protesting the use of the dogs at all.

Answer 6

two reasons: the first is that the dog is an officer, and second, the dog is the property of the police. so if you injure a police dog you must be doing something wrong. like resisting arrest.

Answer 7

The dog is considered a police officer.

Answer 8

A police dog is considered to be an officer of the law. If you kill one it is homicide. If you injure one it could be consider assault and battery to a police officer.

Answer 9

There is a level of value cut off for theft and damage to property that probably partially explains it. The training these dogs get is worth tens of thousands of dollars.

Then too, there is the point of protecting law enforcement from injury. I see no reason why this shouldn't apply to a dog.

Answer 10

It has a rank as a police officer. A lot of time & training went into it & it puts its life on the line for fellow officers.