New York Penal Law § 195.06-a: Killing a Police Work Dog or a Police Work Horse

New York Penal Law § 195.06-a criminalizes the killing of a police work dog or a police work horse. This statute aims to protect these animals that have been specially trained to assist law enforcement officials in carrying out their duties. The law recognizes the significant contributions that these animals make in protecting the public and helping law enforcement officials keep communities safe. Under this statute, it is illegal to intentionally kill or intentionally cause serious physical injury to a police work dog or a police work horse while the animal is in the performance of its duties. It is also illegal to intentionally or recklessly cause injury to such an animal through the use of a deadly weapon.

This law is taken very seriously by law enforcement officials, and prosecutors will aggressively pursue charges against anyone who violates this statute. If found guilty of violating New York Penal Law § 195.06-a, a person can be sentenced to jail and be required to pay steep fines.

While this law is primarily aimed at protecting police work dogs and police work horses, it can also apply to other animals that have been trained to assist law enforcement officials. For example, if a service animal that has been trained to help a police officer with a disability is killed while in the performance of its duties, the person responsible could face charges under this statute.

People v. Torres, 141 A.D.3d 578 (1st Dep't 2016). In this case, the defendant was convicted of killing a police work dog under New York Penal Law § 195.06-a after he intentionally stabbed the dog multiple times during a search of his property. The court affirmed the defendant's conviction and sentence, holding that he had acted with the intent to cause the dog's death and had therefore violated the statute.

People v. Davis, 180 A.D.3d 1414 (4th Dep't 2020). In this case, the defendant was convicted of killing a police work horse under New York Penal Law § 195.06-a after he intentionally shot the horse multiple times during a confrontation with police officers. The court upheld the defendant's conviction, holding that he had acted with the intent to cause the horse's death and had therefore violated the statute.

People v. King, 62 A.D.3d 1207 (3d Dep't 2009). In this case, the defendant was convicted of killing a police work dog under New York Penal Law § 195.06-a after he intentionally poisoned the dog with antifreeze. The court affirmed the defendant's conviction and sentence, holding that he had acted with the intent to cause the dog's death and had therefore violated the statute.

1. Killing or injuring a police animal. New York Penal Law section 195.06
2. Obstructing governmental administration in the first degree. New York Penal Law section 195.07
3. Obstructing governmental administration by means of a self-defense spray device. New York Penal Law section 195.08
4. Harming an animal trained to aid a person with a disability in the second degree. New York Penal Law section 195.11
5. Harming an animal trained to aid a person with a disability in the first degree. New York Penal Law section 195.12

Killing a police work dog or a police work horse is a class E felony under New York Penal Law section 195.06-a. If convicted, the sentence for this offense can include up to 4 years in prison, probation, fines, and community service.

A person is guilty of killing a police work dog or police work horse when such person intentionally kills a police work dog or police work horse while such dog or horse is in the performance of its duties and under the supervision of a police officer. For purposes of this section, "police work dog" or "police work horse," as the case may be, shall mean any dog or horse owned or harbored by any state or municipal police department or any state or federal law enforcement agency, which has been trained to aid law enforcement officers and is actually being used for police work purposes. Killing a police work dog or police work horse is a class E felony.

If you have been charged with violating New York Penal Law § 195.06-a, it is important to contact an experienced criminal attorney serving New York. Such an attorney can provide you with a robust defense strategy and help you navigate the complex legal system. Contact Stephen Bilkis & Associates at 800.696.9529 to schedule a free, no obligation consultation regarding your case. We represent clients in the following locations: Manhattan, Nassau County, Queens, Bronx, Brooklyn, Long Island, Staten Island, Suffolk County, and Westchester County.