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| Date: | March 22, 2011 | | Contact Name: | Susan Closmore | | Contact Phone: | 651-296-5712 | | Contact Email: | susan.closmore@senate.mn | | For Immediate Release | |
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| GOVERNOR DAYTON SIGNS SENATOR HALL'S BILL TO PROTECT POLICE DOGS INTO LAW |
St. Paul- Senator Dan Hall’s bill (SF 121), increasing penalties for harming police dogs, was signed into law by Governor Dayton Tuesday, March 22. The bi-partisan law increases the penalties for people who injure or kill police or other public safety dogs. Senator Hall joined Governor Dayton at the signing ceremony alongside Commissioner of Public Safety Ramona Dohman (former Maple Grove police chief), Representative Tony Cornish, Roseville Police Officer John Jorgensen and his German Shepherd canine partner, Major. Last fall, Major was paralyzed after being stabbed four times in the back while responding to a call in Maplewood, effectively ending his career as a police dog. Following the ceremony, Senator Hall released the following statement:
“I thank Governor Dayton for supporting our efforts to protect those who work tirelessly to keep Minnesota safe. These dogs are a critical part of our law enforcement. Police officers and their canine partners selflessly place themselves in harm’s way to protect Minnesotans. I am grateful to Representative Cornish for his work in initiating this legislation, and allowing me to work with him to support our hard working men and women of our police force. I especially commend the service and sacrifice of Roseville Police Officer John Jorgensen and his canine Major, who inspired this bill’s passage.”
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Senator Dan Hall (SD40) was elected to the Minnesota State Senate in 2010. He is the Vice Chair for the Environment and Natural Resources Committee, as well as serving on the Health and Human Services and the Judiciary and Public Safety Committee. He encourages and appreciates constituent input, and can be reached at (651) 296-5975 and by e-mail at sen.dan.hall@senate.mn.
