The Queensland Police Service (QPS) says tough new laws to protect police dogs and horses are to include harsher penalties on those who attack them.
The QPS said under the proposed new laws, the Government would create a new offence targeting people who seriously injured or killed a police dog or police horse.
It said the new offence would be a crime, punishable by up to five years’ imprisonment.
In addition, Commissioner for Police at QPS, Katarina Carroll said a new meritorious service award for police dogs would be established to acknowledge the important community safety work they do.
Minister for Police, Mark Ryan said the need for tougher penalties was clearly illustrated by the case in February last year when Police Dog (PD) Kaos (pictured) was stabbed by two offenders.
“PD Kaos was severely wounded and required urgent lifesaving veterinary care,” Mr Ryan said.
“The community was shocked by this attack and rightly so; the public has taken a special interest in this matter,” he said.
“The online community support for PD Kaos and public demands for a more serious offence were quite extraordinary.”
Mr Ryan said PD Kaos had received the German Shepherd Dog Council of Australia Outstanding Canine Service Award.
“Now, it’s the Government’s strong view that it is only appropriate that PD Kaos and all his fellow canines and the horses who help to keep the community safe should have a strong law on their side,” he said.
Commissioner Carroll said the QPS’s four-legged heroes deserved to be protected with tough penalties.
“Our police dogs and horses work tirelessly alongside our officers to protect the community and they should be protected from anyone who tries to harm them,” Commissioner Carroll said.
