Bill > SB0077

This bill expands the legal definition of "public safety animals" beyond police service canines to include animals used by various public safety organizations such as law enforcement, firefighting, search and rescue, and military services. The bill modifies existing law to create more comprehensive protections for these animals, establishing criminal penalties for intentionally harming or interfering with public safety animals. Specifically, causing the death of a public safety animal is a second-degree felony, causing bodily injury or engaging in conduct likely to harm the animal is a third-degree felony, and actions like taunting, obstructing, or interfering with the animal or its handler is a class A misdemeanor. The bill also maintains provisions for restitution, requiring convicted individuals to pay replacement, training, and veterinary costs. Additionally, the bill provides that public safety animals are exempt from quarantine or animal control ordinances in certain circumstances, such as when they bite someone while under proper supervision or during veterinary care. The legislation is set to take effect on May 7, 2025, and includes coordinating language with another bill to ensure consistent legal terminology and implementation.

Justice

https://le.utah.gov/~2025/bills/static/SB0077.html