The new bill would strengthen penalties for attacks on K9 and police horses

Following violent incidents in Los Angeles and other cities targeting ice officers – including assaults against K9 and mounted units – representative Aaron Bean introduced legislation to strengthen sanctions for those who harm animals in the application of the law and their managers.

The news comes after the Ministry of Homeland Security has published new data showing that immigration agents live collectively An increase of 690% of attacks Against them, as such data tacitly include animal officers.

“Our police dogs and our horses serve on the front line, protecting officers and communities,” said Bean on Wednesday, R-Fla., Which chairs the Caucus Doge Caucus on Wednesday.

“They deserve real protection, not only praise – and the” law on the protection Leo K9 “will issue more strict sanctions against those who harm these heroic animals in the exercise of their functions.”

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The representative Aaron Bean and K9 on the Capitol lawn. (Office of the representative Aaron Bean)

The bill, announced Tuesday evening during a ceremony outside the Capitol, implements sentences up to 15 years – and bears the name of the county of Marion, in Florida, the deputy for the sheriff K9 Leo, who was killed in the exercise of his functions.

In February, Leo and its manager responded to a battery report by structure in a house in Silver Springs, outside Ocala.

When Leo charged the armed suspect, he was killed and died a few days later. The suspect was killed by a return fire of human officers.

“Leo did exactly what he was trained to do, and it is to defend and protect these deputies without fear – to be invoiced directly at danger,” said the Sheriff of Marion Billy Woods County told Ocala News at the time.

The Leo manager, SGT. Justin Tortora, bean And others on Tuesday, calling the K9 “more than a partner – he was from the family”.

“By supporting this bill, we can guarantee that federal work K9 receives the urgent care they deserve and help prevent more managers from feeling sorrow from losing their partners in the exercise of its functions,” Tortora told Fox News Digital.

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Marion County, Florida, K9 Leo is known. (Office of the representative Aaron Bean)

Bean’s bill widens federal laws protecting human officers to apply for local, state or federal police animals helping federal agencies. He also ordered the Ministry of Transport to give an exception to the “security port” to people who rushed to police animals injured for veterinary care.

During violent anti-glide riots in California, at least two suspects were arrested for assaults against non-human police.

Dana Whitson d’Oro Valley, Arizona, has been charged in Los Angeles for several Crime Coating, including assault against a peace agent and cruelty to animals, after having allegedly assaulted a police horse.

Whitson would have pushed the horse and struck his muzzle in June, according to local reports.

Another man, Iran Castro of El Monte, California, was also charged for having allegedly pulled the reins of police horses after the police gave a prescription for the demonstrators to disperse, according to Los Angeles NBC affiliate.

The representative Aaron Bean deals with K9 officers in the Capitol. (Office of the representative Aaron Bean)

Debbie Johnson, founder of K9s United, who supports and defends the police animals, celebrated the bill, qualifying its introduction as a “decisive moment in the fight to protect the federal work K9 which defend our nation every day”.

“(This) is the result of tireless pleading years and we are proud to advance this mission. We are deeply grateful to Congressman Bean for having been with us to honor and protect the heroes on all fours of our country,” she said.