TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) — People who kill or seriously injure police dogs in Florida soon could face tougher penalties under legislation the state House has sent to Gov. Ron DeSantis.
The bill passed 116-0 Thursday would make that crime a second-degree felony punishable by up to 15 years in prison. It's now a third-degree felony punishable by up to five years in prison.
Republican Sen. Aaron Bean of Jacksonville said previously his bill was inspired after a K-9 named Fang was killed in his hometown last year. The 3-year-old German shepherd was slain as police chased a 17-year-old carjacking suspect.
House members shared similar stories about killings of police dogs in their areas.
The Senate passed the measure earlier this month.
