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Current as of January 02, 2024 | Updated by Findlaw Staff
Sec. 11. (a) A person who knowingly or intentionally:
(1) strikes, torments, injures, or otherwise mistreats a law enforcement animal; or
(2) interferes with the actions of a law enforcement animal while the animal is engaged in assisting a law enforcement officer in the performance of the officer's duties;
commits a Class A misdemeanor.
(b) An offense under subsection (a)(1) is a Level 6 felony if the act results in:
(1) serious permanent disfigurement;
(2) unconsciousness;
(3) permanent or protracted loss or impairment of the function of a bodily member or organ; or
(4) death;
of the law enforcement animal.
(c) It is a defense that the accused person:
(1) engaged in a reasonable act of training, handling, or discipline; and
(2) acted as an employee or agent of a law enforcement agency.
(d) In addition to any sentence or fine imposed for a conviction of an offense under this section, the court:
(1) may order the person convicted to make restitution to the person or law enforcement agency owning the animal for reimbursement of veterinary bills; and
(2) shall order the person convicted to make restitution to the person or law enforcement agency owning the animal for reimbursement of the cost of replacing the animal, which may include the cost of training the animal, if the animal is permanently disabled or killed.
Cite this article: FindLaw.com - Indiana Code Title 35. Criminal Law and Procedure § 35-46-3-11 - last updated January 02, 2024 | https://codes.findlaw.com/in/title-35-criminal-law-and-procedure/in-code-sect-35-46-3-11/
FindLaw Codes may not reflect the most recent version of the law in your jurisdiction. Please verify the status of the code you are researching with the state legislature before relying on it for your legal needs.
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