On Thursday, February 11, 2021 at 1pm, the Connecticut Joint Committee on Public Safety and Security is scheduled to hold a public hearing on SB 123. This bill would increase the penalty for injuring or killing a police K-9 under the supervision of an officer or a dog that is a member of a volunteer canine search and rescue team, from a class D felony to a class C felony. In Connecticut, a class D felony is the least serious type of felony punishable by a state prison term of one to five years and a fine of up to $5,000. A class C felony is punishable by one to ten years’ imprisonment and a fine of up to $10,000.
TALKING POINTS: The American Kennel Club (AKC) values the contribution that working dogs make to national security and the extraordinary role that these dogs play in protecting the peace and security of individuals, communities and nations against extremist threats. We also honor the breeders, trainers, and handlers of these dogs, and support expanded scientific research and breeding programs to ensure that sufficient high quality domestically-bred dogs are available to ensure public safety and national security.
WHAT YOU CAN DO:
Supportive residents are encouraged to email written testimony in support of SB 123 to the Committee members directly at pstestimony@cga.ct.gov.
AKC Government Relations (AKC GR) will provide additional information as developments warrant. For more information, contact AKC GR at doglaw@akc.org.