Public Safety Animal Amendments

SB 77 expands legal protections for animals used by public safety organizations (such as police, fire, and search and rescue teams) by redefining "public safety animal" to include any animal used for these duties, not just police dogs. It updates penalties: causing death to such an animal becomes a second-degree felony, causing injury or likely injury becomes a third-degree felony, and actions like taunting, interfering, or placing hazards near the animal become class A misdemeanors. The bill also exempts public safety animals from quarantine if they bite under supervision and requires organizations to notify health officials of abnormal behavior. These changes take effect on May 7, 2025, with no new funding required.