HR4755-119

What This Bill Does

The LEO K9 Protection Act updates protections for police animals and medical response for injured police dogs. It amends 18 U.S.C. 1368 so a person who harms a covered police animal with a deadly or dangerous weapon during the prohibited conduct can be fined or imprisoned for up to 15 years. The bill defines police animal as a dog or horse serving a federal agency in any branch, a state, county, or local agency assisting a federal agency, or the Department of Defense in an official military capacity, where the animal is used for detecting criminal activity, enforcing laws, apprehending offenders, detecting flammable materials, investigating fires, finding missing people, disaster rescue, drowning victim recovery, or military duties. The criminal section does not apply to a person acting in good faith to provide emergency veterinary care. Separately, within 180 days DOT, through the NHTSA Office of Emergency Medical Services Initiatives, must publish guidance for EMS personnel to care for police dogs injured on official duty, drawing on DHS, DOD, Canine Tactical Combat Casualty Care, and other federal resources and consulting veterinarians as needed. Within 240 days DOT must issue regulations ensuring injured police dogs may be transported to veterinary facilities when no person needs medical attention or transport, and paramedics or EMTs may provide emergency care at the scene or during transport.

Who Benefits and How

Police dog handlers benefit from stronger criminal penalties and clearer emergency care pathways for injured working dogs. Federal law enforcement agencies benefit from broader protection for dogs and horses used in detection, apprehension, fire investigation, rescue, and military work. Emergency medical services personnel benefit from DOT guidance clarifying when they may treat or transport injured police dogs. Police dogs benefit from regulated access to emergency care and veterinary transport when no human patient needs the ambulance.

Who Bears the Burden and How

Defendants who harm police animals with deadly or dangerous weapons face up to 15 years imprisonment. Transportation Secretary and NHTSA EMS staff must publish guidance and promulgate regulations within statutory deadlines. EMS agencies must adjust protocols for police dog treatment and transport when regulations are issued. Veterinary clinics may need to coordinate with EMS agencies receiving injured police dogs.

Key Provisions

• Increases penalties for harming covered police animals with a deadly or dangerous weapon to up to 15 years.
• Defines police animals to include dogs or horses serving federal, assisting state or local, or military duties.
• Protects good-faith emergency veterinary care from the criminal provision.
• Requires DOT guidance within 180 days for EMS care of injured police dogs.
• Requires DOT regulations within 240 days allowing EMS care and veterinary transport when no person needs transport.