Senator Tony Luetkemeyer listens as St. Joseph Police Officer Lucas Winder testifies in support of Senate Bill 119. Officer Winder was Max’s K-9 handler when the police dog was killed in the line of duty.

Named “Max’s Law” in honor of a St. Joseph K-9 officer killed in the line of duty in 2021, Sen. Luetkemeyer’s legislation elevates injury of a police dog requiring veterinary care to a Class E felony. Killing a K-9 officer would become a Class D felony punishable by up to seven years in prison. Under current law, harming a police dog is prosecuted as misdemeanor property damage.

“These heroic animals put their lives on the line every day to protect the public, and the law should protect them,” Sen. Luetkemeyer said. “Senate Bill 119 recognizes the contributions of law enforcement canines to communities and ensures individuals who take the lives of police animals are subject to the appropriate penalty.

For more information about Sen. Luetkemeyer, visit senate.mo.gov/mem34.