Sub. H.B. No. 349 Summary

• Expands assault and harassment protections to include search and rescue dogs and horses, in addition to existing police dogs and horses.

• Creates two categories of offenses: assaulting (knowingly causing physical harm) and harassing (recklessly taunting, striking, throwing objects at, or interfering with) search and rescue or police animals.

• Establishes escalating penalties based on injury severity: misdemeanor of second degree for basic violation; felony of fourth degree for serious physical harm; felony of third degree with mandatory prison term if the animal dies.

• Requires offenders to pay veterinary bills, damaged equipment costs, retraining costs, and replacement costs for killed animals; imposes mandatory fines to law enforcement agencies when animals are killed.

• Provides detailed definitions of "search and rescue dog or horse," "certified volunteer handler," "first responder," and distinguishes between "physical harm" and "serious physical harm."