Providing protection for search and rescue group dogs

Summary

HB 5419 changes West Virginia law so that police canine units and community search‑and‑rescue dogs are treated as law‑enforcement officers for purposes of crimes against officers and the use of force to defend them. The amendment applies when the animals are working with a human officer or rescue team member, and permits reasonable force to protect the dog just as for a human officer. The dogs remain non‑employees and do not receive state employee benefits.

AI-generated summary — may be incomplete or inaccurate. Verify against the official bill text.

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