The bill S. 775 aims to amend Article 11 of Chapter 3, Title 47 of the South Carolina Code of Laws, which addresses the protection of police dogs and horses. The proposed changes expand the definition of prohibited conduct to include actions such as torturing, mutilating, injuring, or killing these animals, and increase the penalties for such offenses. Specifically, violations of the new provisions would result in felony charges with fines ranging from $2,000 to $20,000 and imprisonment from two to ten years. Additionally, the court would be required to order restitution to the law enforcement agency for the costs associated with restoring or replacing the injured or killed animal.

The bill also introduces technical changes to the existing law, including the establishment of specific penalties for different types of violations. For instance, a person found guilty of lesser offenses would face misdemeanor charges with fines between $500 and $1,000 and potential imprisonment of up to six months. The legislation emphasizes the importance of protecting law enforcement animals and ensures that offenders are held accountable through increased financial penalties and restitution requirements. The act will take effect upon approval by the Governor.