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Harming Police Canines Could Lead To Steeper Penalties

Cat Gloria/Fresh Take Florida
/
AP

Several bills were passed by the legislature today and will end up on the governor’s desk soon. One measure that looks to protect police animals.

A bill that would increase the penalty for intentionally causing bodily harm or death of a police canine or horse passed in the house today, and will soon be on the governor’s desk.

The bill would make it a second degree felony for a person who harms or kills a police, firefighter or search and rescue canine or police horse.

The bill passed each committee stop unanimously in both chambers. In the last four years nearly 100 police dogs have been killed across the United States.

Blaise Gainey is a State Government Reporter for WFSU News. Blaise hails from Windermere, Florida. He graduated from The School of Journalism at the Florida A&M University. He formerly worked for The Florida Channel, WTXL-TV, and before graduating interned with WFSU News. He is excited to return to the newsroom. In his spare time he enjoys watching sports, Netflix, outdoor activities and anything involving his daughter.