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| Date: | February 10, 2011 | | Contact Name: | Chris Van Guilder | | Contact Phone: | 651-296-1388 | | Contact Email: | christopher.vanguilder@senate.mn | | For Immediate Release | |
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| SENATOR INGEBRIGTSEN AND PUBLIC SAFETY COMMITTEE PASS BILL TO PROTECT POLICE DOGS |
(ST. PAUL) – The Senate Judiciary and Public Safety Committee passed in a bipartisan manner a bill aimed at further protecting police dogs. Senate File 121, co-authored by Senator Bill Ingebrigtsen (R-Alexandria) would increase penalties for intentionally injuring public safety dogs and require a person convicted of this crime to pay mandatory restitution.
Senator Ingebrigtsen, who served 34 years in law enforcement with 16 of those as the Douglas County Sheriff, added, “My years in law enforcement and my participation in the very first Douglas County Canine Unit showed me the importance of these dogs. With their help, police work is safer and more efficient for the men and women who protect our streets. By increasing penalties for those who cause the dogs harm, this legislation will help ensure their continued health and well-being.”
Present at the hearing was Major, a police dog who was attacked last November in Maplewood in an incident this bill aims to prevent. Officer John Jorgensen, of the Roseville Canine Police Unit and Major’s partner, testified on behalf of the bill. St. Paul Police Officer Mark Ficcadenti gave supporting testimony. Several other canine officers from around the metro were present including Burnsville Police Officer Dan Long with his partner, Dagger.
Under current statute, killing a police dog is a two-year felony, with substantial or greater bodily harm a gross misdemeanor. Senate File 121 updates the law by extending the felony charge to greater or bodily harm, making a gross misdemeanor “demonstrable harm,” and adding a third tier, an intentional assault of a police dog, a misdemeanor offense.
In addition, current law only allows for permissive restitution, in lieu of fine, up to $5,000. Senate File 121 changes permissive restitution for the death of a police dog to mandatory restitution for all levels of injury to a police dog, removing all caps.
“It is our hope that this legislation prevents additional instances of violence against our police dogs,” added Senator Ingebrigtsen. “There’s a special bond between an officer and his dog, and an act of violence toward them is an act of violence toward all members of the police force.”
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