Subcommittee backs stiffer penalties, restitution for killing or injuring police dogs and horses

The South Carolina House Criminal Law Subcommittee on Tuesday gave a favorable report to House Bill 30 34, a measure that would expand offenses and raise penalties and restitution for injuring or killing police dogs and horses.

Representative Collins, the bills primary sponsor, told the subcommittee the proposal has been introduced since 2015 and now has 41 sponsors. He said the measure focuses narrowly on increasing criminal consequences and restitution for agencies rather than broader sentencing reform.

Sally Foster, executive director of the South Carolina Sheriffs Association, led a roll call of K9 handlers and agency representatives in support, saying the animals are "not just tools" and that handlers and families rely on them. "These dogs go out every single day and work hard to protect their partners," Foster said.

Sergeant Warren Kavanaugh of Richland County recounted the 12/16/2011 death of his police dog, Fargo, describing the effort to save the animal and the ongoing trauma for handlers and families. "It is not fun to sit in the emergency vet and have to assist with putting blood back into butterfly catheters of the dog's paws," Kavanaugh said, urging passage before his retirement.

Solicitor Stumbo, who prosecuted the defendant in the 2024 killing of K9 "Koba," said the current maximum penalty of five years "stuns" people when they learn it applies to killing a police canine. Stumbo recommended increasing the statutory sentence and said a 10-year maximum would be a "very reasonable ask." He noted that higher sentences in specific cases sometimes reflect additional charges rather than the canine statute itself.

The chair read the bill title and scope, noting the measure would amend the South Carolina Code of Laws (article 11 of chapter 3, title 47) to expand covered conduct, increase penalties, and require restitution to the law-enforcement agency. With no motions to amend in subcommittee, the body voted by roll call: Chairman Jeff Johnson, Representative William Bailey, Representative Robbie Robbins and Representative Seth Rose recorded "Aye." The bill received a favorable report and will be placed on the full Judiciary Committee agenda.

The subcommittee hearing included law-enforcement advocates and several handlers who identified their K9 partners; members said they would consider any technical changes or amendments at the full committee stage.