Bill signed into law raises charges for hurting or killing law enforcement animals
COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (KRDO) - On Wednesday, Governor Jared Polis signed a bill into law that aims to protect law enforcement animals in the line of duty.
The bill, HB24-1074, clarifies that aggravated cruelty to animals, which used to be a misdemeanor, is now a Class 4 felony, and is defined as: "when a person knowingly or recklessly kills or causes serious physical harm to a law enforcement animal."
“Intentionally harming or killing a law enforcement animal is a deeply serious offense, and I’m pleased we have taken a common-sense step to make it clear that it is unacceptable,” said Majority Leader Monica Duran, D-Wheat Ridge.
The bill largely came about after an El Paso County Sheriff's K9, Jinx, was shot and killed while trying to apprehend a suspect in 2022. In the aftermath, the handler of Jynx, El Paso County deputy Ronnie Hancock, met with legislators to start drafting legislation to up the penalties for hurting or killing animals like his.
"It has been a hard-fought two years, but I think fighting for Jinx helps me get past some of the heartache of losing him," said Hancock.
Hancock says that K9s are very effective at de-escalating a situation, and are the same as having several officers at a scene, adding that most suspects will surrender or comply when they see a K9 unit brought out. He says that it's rare a deputy or officer will deploy the dogs, but when they do, there is a risk of their injury. Hancock says this bill aims to deter that.
"Most handlers will tell you they spend as much time, if not more time, with their canine than they do their family. So the bond that we build with them is extremely strong." explained Hancock, "So it is pretty heartfelt when we have to deploy them and bad things happen to them." he said.
There have been two K9s killed in the line of duty in the history of law enforcement in Colorado, however, Hancock says it's no reason to allow harm to be done. Especially when K9s are a particularly expensive part of a department or agency.
It's for that reason the bill also allows law enforcement to ask for restitution with the felony charge, to recoup costs for rehabilitation for a K9, or funds for training a new K9 in the event one is killed.
"We think it's only fair that if a suspect wants to harm or kill one of them, that they should have to pay for that," explained Hancock.
Hancock says that their next push will be to bring mandatory minimums to the Class 4 Felony charge, which as of now carries anywhere from 2 to 6 years in prison, but can also be up to the judicial system's discretion.
