WV HB5436

Expands the definition of "law-enforcement officer" in West Virginia Code to include police canines and other animals trained for law enforcement purposes while actively working in the field or resting between assignments

Allows human officers to use the same level of force to defend a police animal as they would to defend another human officer

Makes malicious assault on a police canine a felony punishable by 3-15 years in a state correctional facility

Makes unlawful (non-malicious) assault on a police canine a felony punishable by 2-5 years imprisonment

Clarifies that police animals are not considered state employees and do not receive administrative protections or personnel status afforded to human employees