New Tennessee law to protect police dogs goes into effect Friday
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WZTV) — A Tennessee law taking effect July 1 aims to protect police dogs by cracking down on those who harm K-9s.
Joker's Law strengthens penalties for anyone who harms a law enforcement or service animal in Tennessee. Offenders will now be charged with a Class B felony.
The bill, sponsored by Sen. Mike Bell (R-Riceville), increases the penalty for anyone who knowingly and unlawfully kills a police dog, fire dog, search and rescue dog, service animal or police horse.
Anyone between the ages of 14 and 17 who kills or causes serious injury to one of those animals could also be tried as an adult.
Killing a law enforcement service animal was a minimum Class E felony prior to the new bill. The law is named in honor of Joker, a K-9 with the Bradley County Sheriff’s Office who was seriously injured after being shot during a pursuit last year.
The new laws to begin Friday focus on supporting first responders and emergency services.
Find a list of more bills that will take effect July 1 here.
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