New York Penal Law § 195.06: Killing or Injuring a Police Animal

New York Penal Law § 195.06 is a statute that criminalizes the intentional killing or injury of a police animal. This law recognizes the important role that these animals play in assisting law enforcement officials and aims to protect them from harm. Under this statute, it is illegal to intentionally kill or intentionally cause serious physical injury to a police animal 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.

Police animals can include not only dogs and horses, but also other animals that have been trained to assist law enforcement officials, such as pigs or even trained birds. If a person is found guilty of violating New York Penal Law § 195.06, they can be sentenced to up to two years in jail and a fine of up to $5,000.

People v. Blunt, 59 A.D.3d 925 (2d Dep't 2009). In this case, the defendant was convicted of killing a police animal under New York Penal Law § 195.06 after he intentionally ran over a police dog with his car during a police chase. 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. Muirhead, 91 A.D.3d 1195 (3d Dep't 2012). In this case, the defendant was convicted of injuring a police animal under New York Penal Law § 195.06 after he struck a police horse with his car during a parade. The horse suffered a broken leg and had to be euthanized as a result of its injuries. The court upheld the defendant's conviction, holding that his actions had caused the horse to suffer a serious physical injury and had therefore violated the statute.

People v. Cooper, 172 A.D.3d 630 (2d Dep't 2019). In this case, the defendant was convicted of injuring a police animal under New York Penal Law § 195.06 after he kicked a police dog during an altercation with police officers. The dog suffered a broken tooth and other injuries as a result of the attack. The court affirmed the defendant's conviction and sentence, holding that his actions had caused the dog to suffer a physical injury and had therefore violated the statute.

1. Killing a police work dog or police work horse. New York Penal Law section 195.06-a
2. Harming an animal trained to aid a person with a disability in the second degree. New York Penal Law section 195.11
3. Harming an animal trained to aid a person with a disability in the first degree. New York Penal Law section 195.12

A person is guilty of killing or injuring a police animal when such person intentionally kills or injures any animal while such animal is in the performance of its duties and under the supervision of a police or peace officer. Killing or injuring a police animal is a class A misdemeanor.

A person is guilty of killing or injuring a police animal when such person intentionally kills or injures any animal while such animal is in the performance of its duties and under the supervision of a police or peace officer. Killing or injuring a police animal is a class A misdemeanor.

New York Penal Law § 195.06 aims to protect police animals from intentional harm while they are performing their duties. If you are facing charges under this statute, it is essential to seek the assistance of an experienced criminal attorney in New York who can help ensure that your rights are protected and to help ensure a favorable resolution. 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.