Skip to main content

Citrus Heights Messenger

Senator Gaines Introduces Police Dog Protection Act

Jan 29, 2018 12:00AM ● By By Betsey Hodges

SACRAMENTO REGION, CA (MPG) - Senator Ted Gaines (R-El Dorado) today announced Senate Bill 911, legislation that ensures killers of police dogs are prosecuted as felons.

“Everyone is safer when police dogs are on the front lines of duty with their human partners, from law enforcement and victims to the community-at-large. These animals risk their lives to serve and protect,” said Senator Gaines. “It’s our duty to make sure we are protecting them by toughening penalties if they are harmed.”

Senate Bill 911, the Police Dog Protection Act of 2018, will make it a mandatory felony for intentionally killing or inflicting serious injury to a police dog or police horse in the line of duty. Current law involving injury to police animals is a “wobbler,” meaning that either a misdemeanor or a felony can be charged depending on the circumstances. SB 911 makes it an automatic felony.

Police animals are a significant investment of taxpayer dollars. For example, it can cost police agencies about $10,000 to buy a K-9 dog and up to about $100,000 for training, equipment and care throughout its career.

At least 10 police dogs have been killed in the line of duty over the past five years in California. Nationally, 24 police dogs were killed in action in 2017.

Senator Gaines said state law needs to be toughened so we don’t have to add to those statistics. “We want to make it clear that harming a member of our law enforcement community – dog, horse or human – will result in serious consequences. My hope is that by increasing the penalty, we will decrease the death statistics for these brave animals.”

A police dog or “K-9” is a dog that is specifically trained to assist police and other law-enforcement personnel. Their duties include: searching for drugs and explosives, locating missing people, finding crime scene evidence, and protecting their handlers. Police dogs are trained using verbal cues and hand gestures. The most commonly used breeds are the German Shepherd, Belgian Malinois and Rottweiler.

Senator Ted Gaines represents the 1st Senate District, which includes all or parts of Alpine, El Dorado, Lassen, Modoc, Nevada, Placer, Plumas, Sacramento, Shasta, Sierra and Siskiyou counties.

Sacramento County Legal ads  Click on this image to learn more about placing legal ads in the Messenger Publishing Groups publications
Sacramento  Citrus Heights Messenger - Memorial ads  Click on this image of a Peace Lily to learn more about placing a Memorial ad in the Rancho Cordova Grapevine Independent
Sacramento  Citrus Heights Messenger  Arrest records  Click on this image of Police Tape to read a listing of recent arrests in the Citrus Heights area
Sacramento  Citrus Heights Messenger  Donated to support local journalism  Click on this image to donate to the Citrus Heights Messenger to keep local journalism alive
Sacramento - Citrus Heights Messenger Make the Rest of your life the Best of your life Click on this image of a mature couple to find resources and articles for mature singles
Sacramento  Citrus Heights Click on this ad to find archives of Citrus Heights Messenger  newspapers
Sacramento  Citrus Heights Messenger  Learn more about Cirtus Heights Water district and how to save water
Sacramento  Citrus Heights Messenger  Learn more about Cirtus Heights Water district and how to save water
Sacramento  Citrus Heights Messenger  Image of fresh food Click on this ad for KP International Market to go to their website
Sacramento  Citrus Heights Click on this ad for First US Community Credit Union to be taken to their website
Sacramento  Citrus Heights Click on this ad for Cogir of Stock Ranch Senior Living Facility to learn more about their services
Sacramento  Citrus Heights Click on this ad for El Dorado Savings Bank to be taken to their website
Sacramento  Citrus Heights Click on this ad for Pinnacle Employee Services to learn more about their HR Payroll and Benefits services for businesses
Sacramento  Citrus Heights Click on this ad for American River Chiropractic to learn more about their Chiropractic Memberships
Sacramento  Citrus Heights Call 916-728-5812 to learn more about Superior Landscaping Services company
Sacramento  Citrus Heights Image of Sacramento Choral Society and Orchestra Click on this ad to learn more about Sacramento Choral Society and Orchestra schedule and buy tickets
Sacramento   Citrus Heights  Image of Sacramento River Cats Baseball Team Click on this ad to learn more about River Cats Baseball schedule and to buy tickets
Sacramento  Image of the Milky Way Click on this ad to learn more about the programs and events at Aero Space Museum of California and to buy tickets
Sacramento  Fair Oaks Image of Lighthouse for Grace Baptist Church Click on this ad to learn more about Grace Baptist Church worship schedule
Sacramento   Click on this ad to learn more about the Tunnel to Towers Foundation An organization helping disabled Veterans and Homeless veterans find housing and support
Upcoming Events Near You

No Events in the next 21 days.