What happens if you harm a police K-9 in Texas? Here’s what the state law says
After the recent uproar about a North Carolina policeman shooting his own K9 officer, it makes people wonder: what are the penalties for harming a police service animal?
The North Carolina officer was placed on administrative leave for the incident. But in some cases, the punishment could be worse for citizens, depending on the act.
In Texas, this action can count against you as a hefty fine or even jail time. It is counted as “obstructing a governmental operation.”
Here is what the Texas Penal Code says about animal protection.
What are Texas animal abuse laws?
SPCA of Texas, an animal welfare agency, explained animal cruelty laws in Texas. The law breaks it down between criminal and civil lawsuits.
“In a civil case, if a judge rules that a person or people have been cruel to animals, the judge may take away their animals and order them to pay restitution,” says SPCA.
Harming a police service animal would be considered a criminal offense because criminal charges only apply to “captured” (or domesticated) animals that are in the human’s care.
What the Texas law says about harming a police dog
Harming a K9 officer includes more than just hitting the animal. “The Texas Interference with Police Service Animals law makes it illegal to taunt, throw an object at, injure, or kill a police service animal,” according to Saputo Toufexis law firm.
Texas Penal Code 38.151 lays out all instances where an offense would happen:
Taunts, torments, or strikes a K9 service dog.
Throws an object or substance at a service animal.
Interferes with or obstructs a police service animal or the handler or rider of a police service animal in a manner that restricts the handler’s or rider’s control of the animal.
Deprives the handler or rider of control of the animal.
Releases a police animal from its area of control.
Enters the area of control of a police service animal without the effective consent of the handler or rider, including placing food or any other object or substance into that area.
Engages in conduct likely to injure or kill a police service animal, including administering or setting a poison, trap, or any other object or substance.
Penalties for harming a police service animal
If you violate any portion of Texas Penal Code 38.151, you will be guilty of obstructing governmental operations or interference with police service animals.
For taunting, tormenting, or striking a K9 animal, a person would be charged with a Class C misdemeanor and a maximum fine of $500, according to Saputo Toufexis law firm.
Throwing an object or substance at a police service dog is a Class B misdemeanor with a fine up to $2,000 and possible jail time of up to 180 days.
If you harm the service dog’s handler or while the animal is in its holding area, the charge would be a Class A misdemeanor with a fine up to $4,000 and jail time of up to one year.
If someone tries to injure or kill a service animal, or actually does kill a police dog, that person can be charged with a second-degree felony, with a fine up to $10,000 and possible prison time from 2 to 20 years.
This story was originally published October 1, 2024 at 12:03 PM.