Senate Bill 1260 would increase the offense to a second degree felony, calling for a fine of $25,000 and up to 10 years in prison.
The bill would be known as “Rocco’s Law” after the Pittsburgh police dog that died Thursday. Police said 21-year-old John L. Rush stabbed the dog and his handler during an attempted arrest Tuesday, and other officers were injured in the struggle.
Current state law classifies the killing of a police animal as a third-degree felony offense punishable by up to seven years in prison and a $15,000 fine.
The federal penalty for killing a law enforcement dog is up to 10 years in prison and a fine of $1,000.
“It is an injustice that Pennsylvania’s law lags behind the federal standard in terms of maximum prison time,” Smith said.
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