Call for tougher laws to protect police dogs

The Scottish Conservatives want to make a new criminal offence covering injuring police dogs.

The party’s justice spokesman Liam Kerr said the current law fails to fully protect police dogs and other service animals.

The Tories have vowed to bring in a criminal offence of harming or killing a service animal, such as dogs or horses involved with the emergency services or military. Guide dogs and similar assistance animals could also be covered.

Mr Kerr launched the campaign following a visit to the police dog unit in Baluniefield, Dundee.

He said: “Service animals are highly-trained members of Police Scotland and are repeatedly put in dangerous situations.

“Police dogs and horses undergo extensive training. We ask them to work for us and risk their lives to keep us safe, and yet the law does not fully protect them when they are hurt.

“Introducing a criminal offence of causing injury to police animals will ensure criminals who attack police animals are dealt with effectively. Ultimately, this gives service animals the legal protection they deserve and goes some way to saying thank you for their dedicated service.”

The proposal was influenced by a police officer requesting a similar change to the law south of the border.

Liam Kerr: campaign