2019 South Dakota Codified Laws
Title 22 - Crimes
Chapter 11 - Obstruction Of The Administration Of Government
§ 22-11-36 Killing, injury, or interference with a law enforcement support animal prohibited--Felony or misdemeanor.
22-11-36. Killing, injury, or interference with a law enforcement support animal prohibited--Felony or misdemeanor. If any person intentionally and unjustifiably kills a law enforcement animal, the person is guilty of a Class 6 felony. If any person intentionally and unjustifiably causes physical injury to, torments, strikes, disables, or tampers with a law enforcement support animal, the person is guilty of Class 1 misdemeanor. If any person harasses, taunts, or provokes a law enforcement support animal; interferes with a law enforcement support animal while the animal is working; or interferes with the individual handling the animal, the person is guilty of Class 2 misdemeanor. For purposes of this section, the term, law enforcement support animal, means any animal that is on duty which is being used by or on behalf of a law enforcement officer in the performance of the officer's functions and duties.
This section does not apply to a law enforcement officer or a veterinarian who terminates the life of a law enforcement support animal to relieve the animal of undue suffering and pain.
Source: SL 2010, ch 113, ยง 1.
