Injured police dog will witness Minn. bill signing

Published 5:43 pm Tuesday, March 22, 2011

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) — Major the police dog will help usher in a new Minnesota law that calls for stiffer penalties for harming or killing public safety animals.

Gov. Mark Dayton planned to sign a bill with the changes on Tuesday.

The bill increases potential restitution costs for people who hurt dogs in police actions, search and rescue, correctional facilities or arson investigations.

Email newsletter signup

Major is a Roseville police dog and was stabbed last fall when helping officers search a property for a burglary suspect. The dog is still rehabilitating from the serious injuries he sustained.

The bill passed the Legislature by wide margins and will formally take effect this August.