What crime is committed when a person intentionally causes great bodily harm or death to a police canine or horse?

The crime committed when a person intentionally causes great bodily harm or death to a police canine or horse is classified as a 2nd Degree Felony. This classification underscores the serious nature of the offense, as it involves harm to a working animal that plays a crucial role in law enforcement. Police canines and horses are considered valuable assets in maintaining public safety, and deliberately inflicting harm on them is viewed as an attack not only on the animal but also on the law enforcement agency they serve.

The severity of this crime reflects the principle that harming police animals can undermine the effectiveness of law enforcement operations and endanger public safety. Therefore, the law imposes stricter penalties—such as those associated with a 2nd Degree Felony—to deter such acts and safeguard these important members of the law enforcement community.