CCS SCS HB 248 -- PUBLIC SAFETY ANIMALS

This bill creates the crimes of killing or disabling a police
animal and assault on a police animal.  A person commits the
crime of killing or disabling a police animal when the person
knowingly causes the death of, or knowingly disables, an animal
used in law enforcement whether or not on duty.  A person
commits the crime of assault on a police animal when the person
knowingly attempts to kill, disable, or cause serious physical
injury to an animal used in law enforcement whether or not on
duty.  Killing or disabling a police animal is a class D
felony.  Assault on a police animal is a class C misdemeanor.

HB 248 -- OFFENSES AGAINST POLICE ANIMALS (Kissell)

This bill creates the crimes of killing a police animal and
assault of a police animal.  A person commits the crime of
killing a police animal when the person knowingly causes the
death of an animal involved in law enforcement duties.  A person
commits the crime of assault of a police animal when the person
knowingly attempts to kill or cause serious physical injury to
an animal involved in law enforcement duties.  Killing a police
animal and assault on a police animal are class D felonies.

FISCAL NOTE:  No impact on state funds.

HB 248 -- OFFENSES AGAINST POLICE ANIMALS

SPONSOR:  Kissell

COMMITTEE ACTION:  Voted "do pass by consent" by the Committee
on Public Safety and Law Enforcement by a vote of 11 to 0.

This bill creates the crimes of killing a police animal and
assault of a police animal.  A person commits the crime of
killing a police animal when the person knowingly causes the
death of an animal involved in law enforcement duties.  A person
commits the crime of assault of a police animal when the person
knowingly attempts to kill or cause serious physical injury to
an animal involved in law enforcement duties.  Killing a police
animal and assault on a police animal are class D felonies.

FISCAL NOTE:  No impact on state funds.

PROPONENTS:  Supporters say that this bill will provide
disincentive to injure or kill a police animal by escalating the
penalty to felony status.  Police animals are valued in
thousands, and in some instances, tens of thousands of dollars.

Testifying for the bill were Representative Kissell; Police
Chiefs Association; and Missouri Alliance for Animal Legislation.

OPPONENTS:  There was no opposition voiced to the committee.

Bill Tucker, Assistant Director of Research

HB 248 -- Public Safety Animals

Sponsor:  Kissell

This bill creates the crimes of killing a police animal and
assault of a police animal.  A person commits the crime of
killing a police animal when the person knowingly causes the
death of an animal involved in law enforcement duties.  A person
commits the crime of assault of a police animal when the person
knowingly attempts to kill or cause serious physical injury to
an animal involved in law enforcement duties.  Killing a police
animal and assault on a police animal are class D felonies.