On May 18, the Assembly Appropriations Committee advanced Assembly Bill 742, limiting the use of police canines for apprehension and crowd control. The bill has been amended to allow for the use of police canines for apprehension in some circumstances.
AKC understands and acknowledges there are issues concerning the use of police canines for apprehension, but we feel the recent amendment could lead to unintended consequences for public safety. Properly trained dogs are the best locating tool that police have when seeking to apprehend a dangerous suspect in flight. Banning their use could reduce the tools available to police and could have grave consequences for the safety of officers, suspects, and the community at large.
The bill is likely to be voted on by the full Assembly this week in advance of a Friday, June 2 deadline for its passage.
The author of the proposal, Assemblymember Corey Jackson (Dist. 60), continues to work with stakeholders on the bill, and AKC appreciates his concern for safety of all Californians.
If you would like to comment on the bill, please reach out to your assemblymember.
(Click HERE to find out who your assemblymember is).
To refer to AKC’s previous alert on Assembly Bill 742, please click here.
AKC Government Relations continues to monitor bills in California impacting dog owners and will provide updates. For questions or more information on California legislation, contact AKC GR at doglaw@akc.org.