VanDenburgh bill would require police dog replacement fee
February 12, 2013 2:34PM
Shelli VanDenburgh
Updated: February 12, 2013 11:14PM
INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — Anyone convicted of killing or permanently disabling a police dog would have to pay the cost of replacing the animal under a bill moving through the Indiana Legislature.
The House voted 97-0 on Tuesday to approve the bill and send it on the Senate for consideration.
Bill sponsor Rep. Shelli VanDenburgh of Crown Point says police departments face spending up to $12,000 to buy and train a dog.
Current law makes it a felony punishable by six months to three years in prison to kill or badly injure a police dog, but judges have the option of whether to order the payment of reimbursement cost.
