H. B. 2263


(By Delegates Yeager, Rowe, Manuel, Frederick,

Adkins, Henderson and Burke)

[Introduced January 26, 1995; referred to the

Committee on Political Subdivisions then the Judiciary.]




A BILL to amend article twenty, chapter nineteen of the code of West Virginia, one thousand nine hundred thirty-one, as amended, by adding thereto a new section, designated section twenty-four, relating to injury to animals used by law-enforcement officials and the penalties attached.

Be it enacted by the Legislature of West Virginia:
That article twenty, chapter nineteen of the code of West Virginia, one thousand nine hundred thirty-one, as amended, be amended by adding thereto a new section, designated section twenty-four, to read as follows:
ARTICLE 20. DOGS AND CATS.

§19-20-24. Interference or injury to animals used by law-enforcement officials; penalties.


Any person who, without justification and, with the unlawful intent to inflict serious physical injury or death, causes the death of any dog, horse or other animal used by law-enforcement officials shall be guilty of a felony, and, upon conviction thereof, shall be fined not less than five hundred dollars nor more than one thousand dollars and imprisoned in the penitentiary for a term of not less than one year nor more than three years.
Any person who, without justification, willfully and unlawfully causes physical injury to any dog, horse or other animal used by law-enforcement officials shall be guilty of a misdemeanor, and, upon conviction thereof, shall be fined not more than five hundred dollars, or imprisoned in the county jail not less than thirty days nor more than six months, or both.
Any person convicted of a violation of this section shall be ordered to make restitution to the law-enforcement agency owning the animal for any veterinary bills and replacement costs of any disabled or killed animal.




NOTE: The purpose of this bill is to protect dogs, horses or any other animals used by law-enforcement agencies and to provide strict penalties for a violation of this section.

Strike-throughs indicate language that would be stricken from the present law, and underscoring indicates new language that would be added.