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Bill

SB 360

Criminal Law - Emergency Response Animal - Prohibited Actions Against

2026 Regular Session Introduced by Nick Charles and 6 co-sponsors

SB 360 criminalizes intentional harm or interference with emergency response animals used by law enforcement and rescue personnel during active duty operations.

Approved by the Governor - Chapter 401
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Bill Summary · SB 360

Legislative bill overview

SB 360 establishes criminal penalties for actions that harm, injure, or interfere with animals actively engaged in emergency response work (such as police dogs, rescue dogs, and other service animals used by law enforcement and emergency personnel). The bill aims to protect these working animals from deliberate harm or obstruction during their duties.

Why is this important

Emergency response animals play critical roles in public safety operations including detecting explosives, apprehending suspects, locating missing persons, and rescue efforts. Protecting these animals ensures emergency personnel can effectively perform their duties without fear of their working animals being targeted or disabled by criminals or hostile individuals.

Potential points of contention

  • Definitional scope: Questions about which animals qualify as "emergency response animals" and whether the definition is narrow enough or too broad (does it include only law enforcement/fire/rescue, or also private security animals?)
  • Penalty severity: Debate over appropriate criminal penalties and whether they align with penalties for harming other animals or property of similar value
  • Intentionality requirements: Whether the law requires proof of intentional harm/interference or also covers reckless or negligent actions that disable working animals

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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