DENVER (KDVR) — A bill that would increase penalties for individuals who harm law enforcement animals passed through a Colorado House committee Tuesday, bringing it one step closer to becoming a new law.
The proposed legislation is moving forward almost a year after the death of K-9 Graffit of the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office.
Graffit was killed chasing a man through a wooded area on Feb. 13, 2023 . Police say he had a gun on the School of Mines campus in Golden before the chase.
The bill would change the law on aggravated cruelty to animals to become a Class 4 felony. The bill specifies this would apply to anyone who knowingly or recklessly kills or causes physical harm that leads to the animal being decommissioned from active duty for at least three months.
Family of man shot and killed on RTD bus has questions
The bill also stipulates it does not matter if the animal is on duty or not for this proposed law to be in effect.
Previously, the charge of aggravated cruelty to animals was a Class 6 felony, the lowest felony class, carrying penalties of up to 18 months in jail and a fine of up to $100,000.