By Associated Press - Monday, May 15, 2017

ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) - A New York state lawmaker wants harsher penalties for causing harm to police animals.

Republican Sen. Catharine Young, of Olean in Cattaraugus (kat-uh-RAW’-gus) County, has scheduled a conference on Monday in Albany to promote legislation that would create a new felony offense for intentionally causing serious physical injury to a police work dog or police work horse. Her measure also would increase the offense of killing a police work dog or police work horse to a class D felony.

The bill is named Mitchell’s Law for a Jamestown Police Department German shepherd that suffered life-threatening injuries while apprehending a suspect in a slaying last November.

The bill has passed through a Senate committee and has been added to the upcoming floor calendar.

Copyright © 2026 The Washington Times, LLC.

Story Topics

Please read our comment policy before commenting.