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.
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