Senate Bill 2920

AN ACT TO MAKE IT UNLAWFUL TO WILLFULLY HARM OR KILL ANY PUBLIC SERVICE ANIMAL; TO PROVIDE CRIMINAL PENALTIES AND REQUIRE RESTITUTION FOR VIOLATION OF THIS ACT; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI:

SECTION 1. (1) It is unlawful for any person to willfully and maliciously taunt, torment, tease, beat, strike, or administer or subject any desensitizing drugs, chemicals or substance to any public service animal; and any person who violated this section is guilty of a misdemeanor, and upon conviction thereof shall be fined not more than Two Hundred Dollars ($200.00) and be imprisoned not more than five (5) days or both.

(2) Any person who, without just cause, purposely kills or injures any public service animal is guilty of a felony and upon conviction shall be fined not more than Five Thousand Dollars ($5,000.00) and be imprisoned not more than five (5) years or both.

(3) For purposes of this section, the words "public service animal" shall mean any animal, including, but not limited to, canines (K-9 dogs) trained to assist a law enforcement or any public safety entity; including, but not limited to, dogs certified by the Mississippi Law Enforcement K-9 Association as "Bomb Dog," "Patrol Dog," "Drug Dog," "Arson Dog," "Search and Rescue Dog" and "Cadaver Dog."

(4) Any person guilty of violating subsection 2 of this section shall also be required to make restitution to the law enforcement agency or owner so aggrieved.

SECTION 2. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after July 1, 2002.