Assembly Bill 239 seeks to enhance the legal protections for search and rescue dogs by expanding existing laws that currently protect police and fire animals. The bill defines a "search and rescue dog" as one that has been trained or is being trained by a recognized agency to locate lost or missing individuals and victims of disasters. It amends several sections of the statutes, including the title of 951.095 to include "search and rescue dogs," and specifies that the prohibitions against harassment, intimidation, and abuse now apply to these dogs as well.

The bill also updates the penalties associated with violations against these animals. It maintains the existing penalties for harming police and fire animals while adding similar penalties for search and rescue dogs. Specifically, it establishes that individuals who knowingly harm a search and rescue dog can face a Class A misdemeanor, a Class I felony for causing injury, and a Class H felony for causing death. The bill emphasizes the importance of protecting these animals, which play critical roles in public safety and emergency response.

Statutes affected:
Text as Enrolled: 951.095(title), 951.095, 951.095(1)(intro.), 951.095(2)(b)
Bill Text: 951.095(title), 951.095, 951.095(1)(intro.), 951.095(2)(b), 951.18(2m), 951.18