By Dante J. Martinez
For most pet owners, we see our animal friends as family, and if there were anything to happen to them- you’d want them to be protected by the law.
When it comes to the life of a police dog that relationship is no different. They’re trained like their human counter parts to take on dangerous situations, to protect the lives of others, while being partners and teammates; but what happens if a violent offender harms the police dog, does that offender face charges for such an act? On October 2016, Hertfordshire PC Dave Wardell’s police dog Finn need surgery after being stabbed with a 10-inch knife chasing a suspect; but unfortunately, the injuries the dog sustained from a 10-inch knife weren’t considered serious enough to warrant a separate penalty for the attacker.
For those who want justice, there are laws at work to protect such four-legged heroes! Campaigners are vigorously advocating a Service Animals (Offence) Bill, that would create a clear offence for attacking a service animal with a maximum of five years imprisonment. The bill was listed for a second reading on 23rd of February 2018 according to BBC news.
If you have a pet that you care for, think about how working animals can be protected.
Article Link: BBC News
08
Dec2017