An Assembly panel Monday advanced legislation sponsored by Assemblymen Paul Moriarty, Ruben Ramos, Jr and Charles Mainor that would impose a mandatory five-year jail term on anyone convicted of killing a police dog. Moriarty introduced the bill in December, along with Senator Fred Madden, after Schultz, an on-duty Gloucester Township police dog, was killed by a robbery suspect.
“Schultz was more than a dog to his community,” said Moriarty (D-Camden/Gloucester). “He was a friend, protector and an asset to all law-abiding citizens. This law will ensure he and his fellow K-9 officers have strong protections against those who break society’s rules.”
Under the bill (A-3602) – named “Schultz’s Law”– criminals found guilty of killing a police dog or a dog engaged in a search and rescue operation would receive a mandatory minimum five-year prison term, with no eligibility for parole, and a $15,000 fine.
Killing a police or search and rescue dog currently is a third-degree crime and carries penalties of between three to five years in prison and fines of up to $15,000.
Schultz, a 3 1/2 year-old German shepherd and member of Gloucester’s police force was part of a 100-officer manhunt for a robbery suspect. After tracking down the suspect, Schultz latched onto the man’s arm. According to police, the suspect then purposely flung the dog into oncoming traffic on Route 42 in an attempt to escape his grip, where Schultz was hit by a passing car and died shortly after.
“Dogs that assist law enforcement are loyal allies in the fight against crime,” said Ramos (D-Hudson). “This dog, like many others, was simply doing his job serving and protecting the public. They deserve legitimate protection against abuse, and those who abuse them need to face severe punishment.”
“Canines involved in law enforcement risk their life, much like police officers, to do the job they were trained to do,” said Mainor (D-Hudson). “Killing a police dog should be viewed in much the same way as directly assaulting a police officer.”
Moriarty noted that Schultz was well-known throughout Gloucester Township, where he was a fixture at police presentations to schools and local organizations. He lived with his handler, Cpl. Mark Pickard, and his family.
The bill was unanimously released by the Assembly Law and Public Safety Committee. TLS.
Ridicules. The dog was attacking him!
Five years is not enough!
Mr. Anonymous, I am not an animal lover and do not think that killing an animal is the same as killing a human – although as religious Jews we do know that hurting an animal is an aveirah. But your statement was ridiculous. Of course the dog attacked him. The dog was stopping a robbery! If a man wouldve tackled him and he threw him into oncoming traffic would you say, well the man attacked him?
A trained dog is just that. A dog. While some sort of punishment for killing the animal is in order, 5 years is ridiculous. Perhaps a fine corresponding to the value of the animal (including all the training the dog has had), which I imagine would be a significant sum.
Comparing a police dog to a police officer is just plain cukoo and belongs in the PETA dogma, not real legislation.
They must first identify themselves as police dogs.
5 years for a dog???!!!!
Considering the average lifespan of a german shepherd is 9.7 years,
a five year prison term sounds excessive.
Criminal Mischief involving a value of $2,000.00 or more is a 3rd degree crime with a sentence of 3-5 years. A “Green Dog” with no training costs at least $3500.00. Add the extensive training and you are looking at a value of $10,000.00 or more. So five years is really not out of line, even if you look at from the perspective that it is solely a financial loss. Add the fact that the dog is an agent of the government, obviously not on par with a human, and the punishment fits the crime.
for all you saying 5 years in ridiculous dont kill a police dog and you wont have to worry about it. Anyone who kills any dog should go to jail.
Kill a cop and get life, Kill a Police Dog and only get five years, unacceptable!