MT. LEBANON, Feb. 3, 2014 — State Senator Matt Smith (D-Mt. Lebanon) announced that he will introduce legislation in the near future to strengthen the penalties for severely injuring or killing a police animal.
The Senate delegation from Allegheny County – Senators Jim Ferlo (D- Lawrenceville), Wayne Fontana (D-Brookline), Jim Brewster (D-McKeesport), Randy Vulakovich (R-Shaler), Tim Solobay (D-Canonsburg) and Democratic Leader Senator Jay Costa (D-Forest Hills) – will join Smith as sponsors.
“These animals don’t volunteer yet they are selected and serve with the highest level of dedication and bravery,” Smith said. “When someone deliberately harms a police animal, they should bear the full weight of the law.”
“There is no question that animals who are involved in police work are integral parts of law enforcement and deserve protection,” Costa, the Senate Democratic leader who formerly served as a Deputy Sheriff in Allegheny County, said. “The Senate delegation from Allegheny County strongly supports the new initiative because we all realize the value of animals who are involved in police work.”
Smith said Senate Bill 1260 will be known as “Rocco’s Law” after the Pittsburgh police dog that was killed Thursday evening in the Lawrenceville neighborhood. The dog was stabbed while apprehending a suspect.
Smith said his bill would increase the offense to a second degree felony, which comes with a fine of $25,000 and up to 10 years in prison.
“The tragic death of Officer Rocco, a dog that put his life on the line to protect his partner for five years, should spur us to action in Harrisburg,” Senator Jim Ferlo said. “Canine officers are defending the public each and every day and deserve a higher level of protection under state law than we currently provide. Hopefully we will act quickly in Harrisburg to help protect all police dogs like Officer Rocco.”
Fontana added that “police canine dogs are members of a highly trained specialty unit within our police departments. Above and beyond the humane issues an attack on these dogs brings up, we must remember that their duty is to protect our officers from harm and are true members of the force. Legislation such as this is aimed at deterring future tragedies like what happened in Pittsburgh.”
The federal penalty for killing a law enforcement dog is up to 10 years in prison and a fine of $1,000. Current state law classifies the torture or killing of a police animal as a third degree felony offense punishable by up to seven years in prison and a $15,000 fine, but the same penalty applies to the taunting or striking of a police animal.
Smith’s bill recognizes the fundamental differences between the two crimes by strengthening the penalty for the more serious offense.
“It is an injustice that Pennsylvania’s law lags behind the federal standard in terms of maximum prison time,” Smith said. “It is currently unacceptable that state law currently imposes the same penalty for the separate offenses of taunting or police dog as for its killing.”
“Police dogs provide an essential service and they are faithful public servants that make our communities safer,” said Sen. Vulakovich, a former police sergeant. “When a criminal viciously attacks a police dog, it is appropriate that they face a punishment that is fitting with the crime.
“The dog the officer works with becomes a part of his family both on the job and at home. We can put no price on the loyalty and love that dog has for the officer he works with every day. The dog places his life in jeopardy to protect the officer and when the dog is threatened or killed in the line of duty the punishment should be appropriate.”
The Senators are pushing for rapid consideration of the bill.
“This bill reflects the increased importance of trained dogs as partners in law enforcement,” Solobay said. “Hopefully, this bill will give them the measure of protection they deserve.”
“This legislation is a great way to honor a hero who died protecting and defending his fellow officers,” Brewster noted. “As a former Mayor, I understand how they become a part of the officer’s family and community. Rocco’s loss has affected all of us in Western Pennsylvania.”
“Our hope is that Senate colleagues from all corners of Pennsylvania support this effort to make sure that Rocco’s sacrifice leads to stronger penalties for anyone who would dare harm a law enforcement animal,” Smith said. “Our thoughts and prayers go out to his handler, family and fellow officers.”
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