House Bill 1120

AN ACT TO PROHIBIT THE KILLING OF, INJURY TO, OR THE ADMINISTERING OF CERTAIN SUBSTANCES TO SERVICE ANIMALS SUCH AS K-9 DOGS; TO ENACT PENALTIES THEREFOR; 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 to administer, expose or inject any desensitizing drugs, chemicals or substance to any public service animal. Any person who violates 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 term "public service animal" means any animal trained to assist a law enforcement entity or any public safety entity, including, but not limited to, dogs certified by the Mississippi Law Enforcement K-9 Association as a "Bomb Dog," "Patrol Dog," "Drug Dog," "Arson Dog," "Tracking Dog," "Search and Rescue Dog," or "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 aggrieved thereby.

SECTION 2. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after July 1, 2003.