Senate Bill 2513

AN ACT TO PROHIBIT THE KILLING OF, INJURY TO OR THE ADMINISTERING OF CERTAIN SUBSTANCES TO LAW ENFORCEMENT CANINES; 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 law enforcement canine. 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 law enforcement canine is guilty of a felony and upon conviction shall be fined not more than Five Thousand Dollars ($5,000.00) or be imprisoned not more than five (5) years, or both.

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

SECTION 2. This act shall be codified as Section 47-21-23, Mississippi Code of 1972.

SECTION 3. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after July 1, 2003.