Report Title:

Crimes; Law Enforcement Animals; Injury or Death

Description:

Makes it a crime to kill, injure, or interfere with a law enforcement horse or dog; requires restitution for costs resulting from killing or injuring a law enforcement horse or dog.

THE SENATE

S.B. NO.

2761

TWENTY-SECOND LEGISLATURE, 2004

 

STATE OF HAWAII

 


 

A BILL FOR AN ACT

 

RELATING TO LAW ENFORCEMENT ANIMALS.

 

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:

SECTION 1. Chapter 710, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by adding a new part to be appropriately designated and to read as follows:

"Part . ENDANGERING OR INTERFERING WITH

LAW ENFORCEMENT ANIMALS

§710-A Endangering a law enforcement animal in the first degree. (1) A person commits the offense of endangering a law enforcement animal in the first degree if the person intentionally or knowingly inflicts substantial bodily injury on, or causes the death of, a law enforcement animal that the person knows or reasonably should know is a law enforcement animal.

(2) Endangering a law enforcement animal in the first degree is a class C felony.

§710-B Endangering a law enforcement animal in the second degree. (1) A person commits the offense of endangering a law enforcement animal in the second degree if the person recklessly inflicts substantial bodily injury on, or causes the death of, a law enforcement animal that the person knows or reasonably should know is a law enforcement animal.

(2) Endangering a law enforcement animal in the second degree is a misdemeanor.

§710-C Interfering with a law enforcement animal. (1) A person commits the offense of interfering with a law enforcement animal if, with the intent to distract, agitate, or harm the law enforcement animal, the person intentionally or knowingly strikes, shoves, or kicks the law enforcement animal or subjects the law enforcement animal to offensive physical contact while the law enforcement animal is in the performance of its official duties.

(2) Interfering with a law enforcement animal is a petty misdemeanor.

§710-D Restitution for injuring or killing a law enforcement animal. Any person convicted of violating section 710-A or 710-B shall make restitution to the law enforcement agency or officer that owns the law enforcement animal for:

(1) Veterinary services or other medical costs;

(2) Replacement costs if the animal is disabled or killed;

(3) Lost wages of a law enforcement officer; and

(4) Any other costs related to violation of section 710-A or 710-B.

§710-E Law enforcement animals; definitions. As used in this part:

"Law enforcement animal" means a horse or dog that is trained to perform law enforcement duties under the supervision of a law enforcement officer.

"Substantial bodily injury" has the same meaning as in section 707-700."

SECTION 2. In codifying the new sections added by section 1 of this Act, the revisor of statutes shall substitute appropriate section numbers for the letters used in designating the new sections in this Act.

SECTION 3. This Act does not affect rights and duties that matured, penalties that were incurred, and proceedings that were begun, before its effective date.

SECTION 4. This Act shall take effect upon its approval.

INTRODUCED BY:

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