This bill, titled the LEO K9 Protection Act, significantly amends title 18 of the United States Code to enhance protections for law enforcement animals. It stipulates that anyone using a deadly or dangerous weapon in the commission of an act described in subsection (a) against a police animal may face fines or imprisonment for up to 15 years. The legislation clearly defines a "police animal" as a dog or horse in the service of a Federal, State, county, or local agency assisting a Federal agency, or used in an official military capacity by the Department of Defense, for purposes such as detecting criminal activity, enforcing laws, or apprehending offenders. Furthermore, the bill addresses the medical care and transportation of police dogs injured in the line of duty. It directs the Secretary of Transportation to publish guidance for emergency medical services personnel on caring for injured police dogs within 180 days of enactment. Within 240 days, the Secretary must also promulgate regulations to ensure that injured police dogs can be transported to a veterinary clinic if no human requires medical attention, and that paramedics or emergency medical technicians may provide emergency medical care to these dogs at the scene or during transport.
This bill, titled the LEO K9 Protection Act, significantly amends title 18 of the United States Code to enhance protections for law enforcement animals. It stipulates that anyone using a deadly or dangerous weapon in the commission of an act described in subsection (a) against a police animal may face fines or imprisonment for up to 15 years. The legislation clearly defines a "police animal" as a dog or horse in the service of a Federal, State, county, or local agency assisting a Federal agency, or used in an official military capacity by the Department of Defense, for purposes such as detecting criminal activity, enforcing laws, or apprehending offenders. Furthermore, the bill addresses the medical care and transportation of police dogs injured in the line of duty. It directs the Secretary of Transportation to publish guidance for emergency medical services personnel on caring for injured police dogs within 180 days of enactment. Within 240 days, the Secretary must also promulgate regulations to ensure that injured police dogs can be transported to a veterinary clinic if no human requires medical attention, and that paramedics or emergency medical technicians may provide emergency medical care to these dogs at the scene or during transport.