§ 35-46-3-11 — Cruelty to a law enforcement animal

(a) A person who knowingly or intentionally:
(1) strikes, torments, injures, or otherwise mistreats a law
enforcement animal; or
(2) interferes with the actions of a law enforcement animal while
the animal is engaged in assisting a law enforcement officer in the
performance of the officer's duties;
commits a Class A misdemeanor.
(b) An offense under subsection (a)(1) is a Level 6 felony if the act
results in:
(1) serious permanent disfigurement;
(2) unconsciousness;
(3) permanent or protracted loss or impairment of the function of
a bodily member or organ; or
(4) death;
of the law enforcement animal.
(c) It is a defense that the accused person:
(1) engaged in a reasonable act of training, handling, or
discipline; and
(2) acted as an employee or agent of a law enforcement agency.
(d) In addition to any sentence or fine imposed for a conviction of
an offense under this section, the court:
(1) may order the person convicted to make restitution to the
person or law enforcement agency owning the animal for
reimbursement of veterinary bills; and
(2) shall order the person convicted to make restitution to the
person or law enforcement agency owning the animal for
reimbursement of the cost of replacing the animal, which may
include the cost of training the animal, if the animal is
permanently disabled or killed.

Legislative History

As added by P.L.193-1987, SEC.14. Amended by P.L.213-1997, SEC.3; P.L.9-2003, SEC.2; P.L.161-2013, SEC.8; P.L.158-2013, SEC.563; P.L.168-2014, SEC.86.