MPs have today debated changing the law to offer better protection for police dogs and horses. In a response to the ‘Finns Law’ petition Government have said that a change to police animal legal status is “unnecessary”.
Police and Crime Commissioner for Staffordshire Matthew Ellis is calling for a change in the law to help protect police dogs attacked in the line of duty but does not agree with parity with police officers. The petition, which has more than 122,000 signatures, began in October 2016 after Police Dog Finn and his handler was stabbed and seriously injured in Hertfordshire.
Currently, assaults on police dogs are viewed in law in the same way as causing damage to property.
Mr Ellis said: “I am utterly outraged that the law suggests police animals are the equivalent to a piece of police equipment. Police dogs play a pivotal role in protecting us. They help enforce the law and I am at a loss to understand why injuring a police dog is seen as the same offence as kicking the door panel of a police car.
“These police animals aren’t just another piece of police kit, they feel pain, they have emotions and above all they display incredible loyalty in the line of duty. The law needs to give greater respect and stronger protection to repay this dedication to duty.
“I would strongly urge the Government to seriously consider changing the law to better protect police animals or ensure that the current law is being applied in the right way. I’m very supportive of strengthening the law in this area and making it an aggravated offence which carries a potential prison term – the same protection assistance dogs receive.
“We need to understand how we can protect police animals better to make sure that the penalty is strong enough to stop people harming those animals who put their heart and soul into keeping people safe.”
The Commissioner has supported the Staffordshire Retired Police Dog fund. More information about the fund is available at http://staffsretiredpolicedogs.org/
