Legislation has been proposed to strengthen legal protections for working K9 animals following the death of a former Alton police dog. Senate Bill 2091 aims to impose harsher penalties on those found guilty of intentionally harming service animals, law enforcement animals, search and rescue dogs, or accelerant detection canines.
The bill was introduced in response to the death of Alton Police Department K9 Odin, who died while on duty last August. Odin’s passing has highlighted the need for more stringent laws to ensure offenders are held responsible and to acknowledge the important role of these animals.
As it stands, if an animal is injured but not killed or completely disabled, the act is considered a Class 4 felony. Senate Bill 2091 proposes raising this charge to a Class 3 felony. In situations where an animal is killed or fully disabled, the charge would increase from a Class 3 felony to a Class 2 felony.
Currently, Senate Bill 2091 is under review in the Assignments Committee.
