LEO K9 Protection Act

The LEO K9 Protection Act (H.R. 4755) would strengthen federal protections for police animals by amending 18 U.S.C. 1368. It makes it a federal crime to harm a “police animal” (defined as a dog or horse used by a federal agency or by state/local agencies assisting a federal agency, or used in official military capacity by the DoD) when the act involves the use of a deadly or dangerous weapon. The bill adds a potential penalty of up to 15 years in prison or a fine, or both, for such acts. It also requires steps to improve medical care for police dogs injured in the line of duty, including federal guidance for emergency medical services (EMS) and new regulations allowing EMS personnel to transport injured police dogs to veterinary clinics and to provide on-scene emergency care. Overall, the bill aims to deter harm to police dogs and ensure timely medical treatment for them.