LEO K9 Protection Act

This bill protects police animals used in law enforcement and military work. It defines “police animal” to include dogs or horses serving federal agencies or state/local agencies helping federal work, for tasks like finding suspects, investigating fires, or locating missing people, and also animals used by the Department of Defense. Hurting one of these animals while using a deadly or dangerous weapon could bring fines and up to 15 years in prison; people who give emergency vet care in good faith are not punished.

It also improves emergency care for injured police dogs. Within 180 days of becoming law, federal guidance would be published for EMTs and paramedics on how to treat injured police dogs, using existing federal guidelines. Within 240 days, rules would let EMS transport an injured police dog to a vet when no person needs the ambulance, and allow EMTs and paramedics to give emergency care at the scene or during transport.

• Who is affected: people who harm police animals; police dogs and horses working for federal or assisting agencies; Department of Defense animals; EMTs and paramedics.
• What changes: sets up to 15-year penalties when a deadly or dangerous weapon is used against a police animal; protects good-faith emergency vet helpers; creates guidance and rules so EMS can treat and transport injured police dogs.
• When: guidance due within 180 days and rules within 240 days after the law takes effect.