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.
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.