Tougher Penalties Being Sought in Missouri for Killing a Police Dog
January 31, 2022 7:39AM CST
MDC’s Protection Branch will launch a new canine unit this summer. Five retriever-style dog breeds will be stationed throughout the state and assist their conservation agent-handlers in evidence recovery and wildlife trafficking cases. Missouri Department of Conservation photo.
(Missourinet) Killing a K-9 officer would be a more serious crime under a bill moving in the Missouri General Assembly this year.
State Senator Tony Luetkemeyer of Parkville says he began working on the legislation in wake of the shooting and killing of K-9 Max in St. Joseph last year. Luetkemeyer says, at present, shooting a police dog is treated as a property crime. His bill would create a Class D felony for killing a K-9 officer. . .
K-9 Max was shot and killed during the pursuit of a domestic assault suspect last summer.
Luetkemeyer says Max’s handler, Officer Lucas Winder (WHEN-der), asked him to work to enhance the penalty for shooting and killing a police dog.
