House Bill would provide penalties for harming law enforcement animals

Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — A house bill providing penalties for harming law enforcement animals was introduced in the House of Representatives Thursday morning. The bill was sponsored by Tualauta Faipule Samuel Ioka Ale Meleisea.

According to the House bill, the principal purpose of law enforcement animals is to aid in the detection of criminal activity, enforcement of laws, or apprehension of criminal offenders.

A recent incident brought to light the importance of recognizing animal cruelty perpetrated on law enforcement animals and establishing penalties to protect them from harm. Due to the nature of law enforcement animals, it is important to provide penalties for individuals who would intentionally or negligently inflict harm on them.

The new Section 46.4812 in Chapter 48 of Title 46 of the American Samoa Code Annotated (A.S.C.A) states that (a) harming law enforcement animals is when a person negligently harms or injuries a law enforcement animal by depriving an animal of water, shelter, food, and necessary medical treatment or attempts or conspires to do so.

Harming a law enforcement animal is a class A misdemeanor, punishable by a term of imprisonment not exceed 1 year, a fine not to exceed $1,000 or both.

The house bill further states, (b) “a person commits the crime of harming law enforcement animals if that person intentionally inflicts harm or injures a law enforcement animal. Intentional acts may include but are not limited to kicking, burning, stabbing, beating or shooting.”

Intentionally harming a law enforcement animal is a class D felony, punishable by a term of imprisonment not to exceed 5 years, a fine of not exceed $5,000, or both.

Furthermore according to the house bill, (c) “If the offense permanently disables or disfigures the animal, or causes serious bodily injury or the death of the law enforcement animal then it will be classified as a class C felony, punishable by a term of imprisonment not to exceed 7 years, a fine not to exceed $5,000, or both.