S.D. Codified Laws § 22-11-36

Current through the 2024 Legislative Session
Section 22-11-36 - Killing, injury, or interference with a law enforcement support animal prohibited-Felony or misdemeanor

If any person intentionally and unjustifiably kills a law enforcement animal, the person is guilty of a Class 6 felony. If any person intentionally and unjustifiably causes physical injury to, torments, strikes, disables, or tampers with a law enforcement support animal, the person is guilty of Class 1 misdemeanor. If any person harasses, taunts, or provokes a law enforcement support animal; interferes with a law enforcement support animal while the animal is working; or interferes with the individual handling the animal, the person is guilty of Class 2 misdemeanor. For purposes of this section, the term, law enforcement support animal, means any animal that is on duty which is being used by or on behalf of a law enforcement officer in the performance of the officer's functions and duties.

This section does not apply to a law enforcement officer or a veterinarian who terminates the life of a law enforcement support animal to relieve the animal of undue suffering and pain.

SDCL 22-11-36

SL 2010, ch 113, §1.