A bill aimed at increasing penalties for individuals who harm law enforcement animals is making progress in the Colorado House, taking it one step closer to becoming law.

HB24-1074 comes nearly a year after the tragic death of K-9 Graffit from the Jefferson County Sheriff's Office, and it seeks to ensure that those who commit such acts face appropriate consequences.

Graffit was killed while chasing a man through a wooded area on February 13, 2023. The suspect had a gun on the School of Mines campus in Golden before the chase ensued.

The proposed bill would modify the law on aggravated cruelty to animals, making it a Class 4 felony. This classification would apply to anyone who knowingly or recklessly kills or causes physical harm that leads to the animal being decommissioned from active duty for at least three months. Importantly, the proposed law would be in effect regardless of whether the animal is on duty at the time of the incident.

Previously, the charge of aggravated cruelty to animals was considered a Class 6 felony, the lowest felony class, carrying penalties of up to 18 months in jail and a fine of up to $100,000.

Under the new bill, individuals found guilty of violating this proposed law would face a Class 4 felony charge, which carries a punishment of a fine ranging from $2,000 to $500,000 and a prison sentence of 2 to 6 years. It is worth noting that other offenses categorized as Class 4 felonies include sexual assault, manslaughter, and vehicular homicide.

PRIME SPONSORS

• Rep. Ryan Armagost (email)

• Rep. Monica Duran (email)

During the bill's Wednesday in committee, Representatives Leslie Herod (D-Denver) and Mike Weissman (D-Aurora) proposed an amendment that requires law enforcement officers to intervene and report any incident where they witness a colleague improperly using their K9. This amendment was unanimously adopted, along with three other minor amendments.

However, not all lawmakers were in favor of the bill. Representative Javier Mabrey (D-Denver) voted against it, arguing that animal cruelty is already a crime under Colorado law. He expressed his belief that the legislation creates a different standard for aggravated animal cruelty based on the role of the animal, which he personally disagrees with.

Mabrey, a Denver attorney, also cited research suggesting that increasing punishment and severity does little to prevent crime and may lead to more imprisonment and punishment.

The bipartisan bill is sponsored by Republican Representative Ryan Armagost, who represents the Berthoud area, and Democratic House Majority Leader Monica Duran, from Jefferson County.

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Armagost expressed his gratitude for the support the bill received and thanked the Colorado law enforcement and K9 community for their input, as well as his colleagues “who believe in protecting those who protect us.”

As this bill moves forward, it highlights the importance of recognizing the invaluable contributions of law enforcement animals and the need to hold those who harm them accountable. By increasing penalties for such offenses, Colorado aims to send a strong message that these actions will not be tolerated.