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S 4643

LEO K9 Protection Act

119th Congress Introduced by Ashley Moody

The LEO K9 Protection Act boosts penalties for harming police dogs and creates federal guidance and rules to ensure timely medical care and transport for injured police canines.

Introduced in Senate
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WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · S 4643

Purpose and scope

  • Introduces the LEO K9 Protection Act in the 119th Congress, sponsored by Senator Ashley Moody. The bill aims to protect police dogs and other canines used in law enforcement by strengthening penalties for harming animals used in law enforcement and establishing protocols for medical care and transportation after injury.

Key provisions

  • Prohibition and penalties for harming police animals

    • Amends 18 U.S.C. 1368(b) to address acts involving deadly or dangerous weapons against police animals.
    • Violators would face a fine, imprisonment for up to 15 years, or both.
    • Defines “police animal” to include dogs or horses in service of a federal agency or assisting a federal agency, as well as those in service of state, county, or local agencies that assist a federal agency, with specific purposes (detection of crime, enforcement, apprehension, detection of flammable materials, fire investigation, missing persons, among others) or if used in any official military capacity by the Department of Defense.
    • Includes a good-faith exception for providing emergency veterinary care to an injured police animal.

  • Medical transportation and emergency care for police dogs

    • Section 3: Within 180 days of enactment, the Secretary of Transportation (through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s Office of EMS Initiatives) must publish guidance for EMS personnel on care for police dogs injured in official duty, drawing on Federal guidelines from DHS, DoD, Canine Tactical Combat Casualty Care Guidelines, and other sources; may consult accredited veterinarians.
    • Section 4: Within 240 days of enactment, the Secretary of Transportation must promulgate regulations to ensure:
    • A police dog injured in official duty can be transported to a veterinary clinic or similar facility when no one else requires medical attention at that moment.
    • Paramedics or emergency medical technicians can provide emergency medical care to a police dog at the scene or during transport to care facilities.

  • Definitions

    • Section 5 clarifies that “police dog” refers to a police animal (dog) as defined in 18 U.S.C. § 1368, including dogs serving state, county, or local agencies.

Who is affected

  • Police dogs (K-9s) and their handlers across federal, state, local, and tribal jurisdictions that assist federal agencies.
  • EMS and ambulance providers, paramedics, and EMTs whowork in emergency response to incidents involving police dogs.
  • Veterinary and medical professionals involved in the care and transport of injured police dogs.
  • Federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies that employ police dogs.

Procedural and timeline highlights

  • Introduction and referral: May 21, 2026; referred to the Senate Committee on the Judiciary.
  • Guidance issuance: Due within 180 days after enactment (for EMS personnel care guidance).
  • Regulations: Due within 240 days after enactment (to address transport and on-scene care requirements).
  • The act includes a good-faith protection for those providing emergency veterinary care to injured police animals.

Summary

The LEO K9 Protection Act strengthens legal protections for law enforcement canines by establishing harsher penalties for harming police dogs, clarifying the scope of animals covered, and creating structured federal guidance and regulations to ensure timely medical care and safe transport for injured police dogs. It emphasizes interagency coordination (DHS, DoD, DOT/FMCSA/EMS) and sets concrete deadlines for implementing medical guidance and regulatory standards.

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

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