H.R. 4755 — LEO K9 Protection Act

This section amends penalties for willfully and maliciously harming a police animal (i.e., dog or horse used in law enforcement) by establishing a penalty of a fine, imprisonment up to 15 years, or both, for using a deadly or dangerous weapon (including one that fails due to a defective component) during such an offense. It expands the definition of police animal to encompass those in service of a federal agency or a state, county, or local agency assisting a federal agency for additional purposes—such as detecting flammable materials or fires, investigating fires, or detecting missing persons (including those lost, trapped under debris from disasters, or drowning)—or used in any official military capacity by the Department of Defense (from dogs or horses employed by a federal agency solely for detecting criminal activity, enforcing laws, or apprehending offenders). The section further exempts from penalties any person acting in good faith to provide emergency veterinary care to an injured police animal.

This section directs the Secretary of Transportation, acting through the Office of Emergency Medical Services Initiatives at the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration, to publish within 180 days of enactment guidance for emergency medical services personnel on caring for police dogs injured while engaged in official duties. The guidance must use existing federal guidelines from the Departments of Homeland Security and Defense, the Canine Tactical Combat Casualty Care Guidelines, and other federal resources, with optional consultation of accredited veterinarians.

This section directs the Secretary of Transportation to promulgate, not later than 240 days after enactment, regulations ensuring that (1) an injured police dog engaged in official duties may be transported to a veterinary clinic or similar facility if no individual requires medical attention or transport at that time, and (2) a paramedic or emergency medical technician may provide emergency medical care to such a police dog at the scene of an emergency or during transport to a veterinary clinic or similar facility.

This section defines the term “police dog” for purposes of this Act as a dog that qualifies as a “police animal” under 18 U.S.C. 1368 (i.e., a dog employed by a federal agency for aiding in the detection of criminal activity, enforcement of laws, or apprehension of offenders) or a similar dog working in the service of a state, county, or local agency.