Text of PA Law:
§ 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
(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
narcotics by scent.
"Police animal." An animal, including, but not limited to,
dogs and horses, used by the Pennsylvania State Police, a police
department created by a metropolitan transportation authority
operating under 74 Pa.C.S. Ch. 17 (relating to metropolitan
transportation authorities), a police department created
pursuant to the act of April 6, 1956 (1955 P.L.1414, No.465),
known as the Second Class County Port Authority Act, the Capitol
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.
(June 22, 1999, P.L.118, No.19, eff. 60 days; Dec. 22, 2005,
P.L.483, No.96, eff. 60 days)
2005 Amendment. Act 96 amended subsec. (d).
1999 Amendment. Act 19 added section 5511.2.
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