On Thursday, February 9, 2023, the Connecticut General Assembly’s Public Safety and Security Committee will accept public testimony on a list of bills, including SB 932, relative to protections for police K-9 and volunteer search and rescue dogs. The bill would (1) increase the penalty for intentionally injuring a police K-9 or dog in a volunteer canine search and rescue team; (2) establish a penalty for annoying, teasing, tormenting, or harassing any police K-9 confined in a motor vehicle; (3) allow emergency medical services personnel to provide emergency treatment and transportation to an injured police K-9 under certain circumstances; and (4) establish a grant program to provide K-9 officers with body armor.
The American Kennel Club (AKC) and the Connecticut Federation of Dog Clubs and Responsible Dog Owners (CFDRDO) support SB 932. Both strongly support the breeders, trainers, and handlers of working dogs, which enrich the lives of humans by performing a variety of valuable services such as handicapped assistance; drug, bomb, and arson detection; and tracking to locate missing persons or fugitives. Police K-9s are working dogs that contribute to our national security and protect the peace and security of communities.
WHAT YOU CAN DO: Connecticut residents are strongly encouraged to electronically register your support by contacting the Committee before February 10, 2023.
- Click on the committee contact form here.
- Fill in the fields for your name, and select “February 9, 2023, 12:30p” from the “Hearing Date and Time” drop down menu.
- Select “SB00932-AAC Police Animals and Dogs in Volunteer Search and Rescue”.
- On the right-hand side, select “Supports”.
- If you wish, you may add comments and/or upload written testimony in PDF format.
In addition, you may speak at the February 9, 2023, public hearing starting at 12:30PM in person or remotely. To do either, you must register by following these details before Wednesday, February 8, 2023, at 3PM.
For more information on these or other legislative issues in Connecticut, contact AKC’s Government Relations Department at 919-816-3720 or doglaw@akc.org.