Bill would protect police dogs, horses

Bad guys who hurt or kill police dogs, horses and other animals used in the line of duty by Georgia law enforcement agencies could be fined as much as $20,000 and jailed as many as five years under legislation passed Friday by the state Senate.

The penalties in Senate Bill 72 escalate depending on how badly the animal is injured. The biggest penalty, of course, is reserved for when they die as the result of an attack.

Anyone convicted under the proposal would additionally have to pay restitution to whichever agency owned the animal, as well as veterinary expenses. Senate Rules Chairman Jeff Mullis, R-Chickamauga, sponsored the bill, which passed on a 46-3 vote and now goes to the state House for consideration.