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Following violent incidents in Los Angeles and other cities targeting ICE personnel, including attacks on K9S and Mount Units, Rep. Aaron Bean has introduced legislation to strengthen penalties for people who harm law enforcement animals and their handlers.
The news comes after the Department of Homeland Security released new data showing immigration officials collectively experiencing a 690% increase in assaults against them.
“Our police dogs and horses serve on the frontline and protect officers and the community alike,” says R-Fla, chairman of Doge Caucus.
“They deserve real protection, not just praise. The “Leo K9 Protection Act” brings harsher penalties for those who harm these heroic animals on the line of duty. ”
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Rep. Aaron Bean and K9 of Capitol Lawn. (Rep. Aaron Bean’s Office)
The bill was announced late Tuesday at a ceremony outside the Capitol, serving a 15-year sentence and is named after Deputy K9 Leo, Sheriff, Marion County, Florida.
In February, Leo and his handlers responded to reports of battery-by-battery spraying at their home in Silver Springs, outside of Ocala.
When Leo indicted an armed suspect, he was shot dead and died a few days later. The suspect was killed in a fire caused by a return from a human officer.
“Leo made it precisely what he was trained to do. It’s boldly defending and protecting their deputies, to directly charge the danger,” Marion County Sheriff Billy Woods told Ocala News at the time.
Leo’s handler, Sgt. Justin Tortola joined Beans and others on Tuesday, calling K9 “more than his partner, he was a family.”
“By supporting this bill, we can ensure that federal working K9s will receive the emergency care they deserve and that more handlers will not experience the heartbreak of losing their partners in their duties,” Tortora told Fox News Digital.
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K9 Leo remembers Marion County, Florida. (Rep. Aaron Bean’s Office)
Bean’s bill extends federal laws protecting human officers to apply to local, state, or federal police animals that support federal agencies. It also instructs the Ministry of Transport to give “safe port” exceptions to those in a hurry to get injured police animals for veterinarian care.
At least two suspects were arrested for assaulting non-human police officers during a violent anti-ice riot in California.
Dana Whitson of Oro Valley, Arizona, was charged in Los Angeles with a number of felony including assaulting a peace officer and animal cruelty after allegedly assaulting a police horse.
Local reports say Whitson pushed a horse and hit the muzzle in June.
Another man from Iran Castro in El Monte, California, was similarly charged when police allegedly crossed the police horse reins after they ordered protesters to dissolve, according to a Los Angeles NBC affiliate.
Rep. Aaron Bean is dealing with Capitol K9 officers. (Rep. Aaron Bean’s Office)
Debbie Johnson, founder of K9S United, who supports and advocates for police animals, celebrated the bill and called its introduction “a critical moment in the fight to protect federal labor K9, defending our country every day.”
“[This] It is the result of years of tireless advocacy and we are proud to move forward with this mission. We are deeply grateful to Rep. Bean for standing with us to honor and protect our country’s four-legged heroes,” she said.
Charles Kraitz is a reporter for Fox News Digital.
He joined Fox News in 2013 as a writer and production assistant.
Charles covers the media, politics and culture of Fox News Digital.
Charles is a Pennsylvania native and graduated from Temple University with a Bachelor of Arts in Broadcast Journalism. Story tips can be sent to charles.creitz@fox.com.
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