FL S0096

Changes terminology throughout Florida Statutes from "police dog," "fire dog," and "SAR dog" to "police canine," "fire canine," and "SAR canine"

Expands the definitions of "police canine" and "SAR canine" to include canines owned or employed by correctional agencies, in addition to law enforcement agencies

Increases the penalty for intentionally causing great bodily harm, permanent disability, or death to, or using a deadly weapon upon, police canines, fire canines, SAR canines, or police horses from a third-degree felony to a second-degree felony

Updates the Criminal Punishment Code offense severity ranking chart to reflect the increased penalty, moving the offense from Level 3 (3rd degree) to Level 3 (2nd degree)

Effective date: October 1, 2019