Mounted search and rescue

[irvin lichtenstein <ilichten1@verizon.net>]

[Deleted HTML.  -Una]


§ 5511.2. Police animals.
(a) Illegal to taunt police animals.--It shall be unlawful for any person to
willfully or maliciously taunt, torment, tease, beat, kick or strike a
police animal. Any person who violates any of the provisions of this
subsection commits a felony of the third degree.

(b) Illegal to torture police animals.--It shall be unlawful for any person
to willfully or maliciously torture, mutilate, injure, disable, poison or
kill a police animal. Any person who violates any of the provisions of this
subsection commits a felony of the third degree.

(c) Restitution.--In any case in which a defendant is convicted of a
violation of subsection (a) or (b), the defendant shall be ordered to make
restitution to the agency or individual owning the animal for any veterinary
bills, for replacement costs of the animal if it is disabled or killed and
for the salary of the animal's handler for the period of time the handler's
services are lost to the agency.

(d) Definitions.--As used in this section, the following words and phrases
shall have the meanings given to them in this subsection:


  "Accelerant detection dog."
  A dog which is trained for accelerant detection, commonly referred to as
arson canines.
  "Bomb detection dog."
  A dog which is trained to locate a bomb or explosives by scent.
  "Narcotic detection dog."
  A dog which is trained to locate a bomb or explosives by scent.
  "Police animal." (Italics added)
  An animal, including, but not limited to, dogs and horses, used by the
Pennsylvania State Police, the Department of Corrections, a county facility
or office or by a municipal police department, fire department, search and
rescue unit or agency or handler under the supervision of such department,
search and rescue unit or agency in the performance of the functions or
duties of such department, search and rescue unit or agency, whether the
animal is on duty or not on duty. The term shall include, but not be limited
to, an accelerant detection dog, bomb detection dog, narcotic detection dog,
search and rescue dog and tracking animal.
  "Search and rescue dog."
  A dog which is trained to locate lost or missing persons, victims of
natural or manmade disasters and human bodies.
  "Tracking animal."
  An animal which is trained to track or used to pursue a missing person,
escaped inmate or fleeing felon.