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WV HB5419
Bill
Status
Introduced
2/10/2026
Primary Sponsor
Jonathan Pinson
Click for details
AI Summary
- Expands the definition of "law-enforcement officer" in West Virginia to include police canines and search and rescue dogs working under the state's Emergency Management Search and Rescue Program
- Extends legal protections to trained animals while actively working in the field with officers or search and rescue group members, or resting between assignments
- Allows handlers to use reasonable force to defend working animals equivalent to force permitted when defending a human officer
- Applies existing criminal penalties for malicious assault (3-15 years), unlawful assault (2-5 years), battery, and assault against law enforcement to crimes committed against these working animals
- Clarifies that covered animals are not state employees and receive no administrative protections or personnel status beyond victim classification
Legislative Description
Providing protection for search and rescue group dogs
Uniform Laws
Last Action
To House Judiciary
2/10/2026
Committee Referrals
Judiciary2/10/2026
Full Bill Text
No bill text available