MO HB1306

Expands the definition of "police animal" to include animals used by public or private search and rescue units or agencies, in addition to law enforcement, corrections, and municipal departments.

Maintains the crime of killing or disabling a police animal as a class D felony when the animal is involved in law enforcement operations or in custody of authorized personnel.

Maintains the crime of assault on a police animal as a class C misdemeanor when a person knowingly attempts to kill, disable, or causes serious physical injury to a police animal.

Applies both crimes to police animals whether on duty or off duty.

Includes specific examples of protected animals: accelerant detection dogs, bomb detection dogs, narcotic detection dogs, search and rescue dogs, and tracking animals.