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ARIZONA STATE SENATE
Fifty-Seventh Legislature, First Regular Session
animal cruelty; classification
Purpose
Classifies the act of intentionally or knowingly killing a police dog acting in the line of duty as a class 4 felony that requires a person to serve a term of at least one year in prison that is not probation eligible.
Background
Statute classifies animal cruelty as a class 6 felony if the
person: 1) intentionally or knowingly subjects any animal under the person's
custody or control to cruel neglect or abandonment that results in serious
physical injury to the animal; 2) intentionally or knowingly subjects any animal
to cruel mistreatment; 3) intentionally or knowingly interferes with, kills or
harms a working or service animal without either legal privilege or consent of
the owner;
4) intentionally or knowingly allows any dog that is under the person's custody
or control to interfere with, kill or cause physical injury to a service
animal; and 5) intentionally or knowingly obtains or exerts unauthorized
control over a service animal with the intent to deprive the service animal handler
of the service animal.
Working animal means a horse or dog that is used by a law
enforcement agency, that is specially trained for law enforcement work and that
is under the control of a handler (A.R.S.
ยง 13-2910).
There is no anticipated fiscal impact to the state General Fund associated with this legislation.
Provisions
1. Classifies the act of intentionally or knowingly killing a working animal as a class 4 felony.
2. Requires a person found guilty of this offense to be sentenced to at least one year in prison without eligibility for probation, or suspension or execution of sentence.
3. Specifies that a working animal means a police dog acting in the line of duty for the purpose of this sentencing requirement.
4. Makes conforming changes.
5. Becomes effective on the general effective date.
Prepared by Senate Research
February 3, 2025
ZD/AW/ci