HI HB1012

Define "law enforcement animal" as any dog, horse, or other animal used by law enforcement or corrections agencies trained for tracking, suspect apprehension, crowd control, drug detection, or explosives detection.

Establish cruelty to a law enforcement animal in the first degree as a Class C felony for intentionally or knowingly striking, beating, kicking, shooting, or poisoning a law enforcement animal resulting in substantial bodily injury or death while performing duties under officer control.

Establish cruelty to a law enforcement animal in the second degree as a misdemeanor for intentionally or knowingly causing injury to a law enforcement animal or recklessly causing substantial bodily injury or death to a law enforcement animal while performing duties under officer control.

Require courts to order restitution for veterinary and medical costs, replacement costs if the animal is killed or disabled, and lost wages for the handler's lost time.

Provide affirmative defense if the law enforcement animal was not handled in accordance with well-recognized national handling procedures or agency handling policies and procedures.