On November 5, 2024, Grant McCallum, the National MP for Northland, announced the introduction of the Policing (Killing a Police Dog) Amendment Bill, a legislative proposal designed to increase penalties for individuals who kill police dogs. McCallum emphasized the essential role that these dogs play in law enforcement during his announcement.
“Police dog handlers confront some of New Zealand’s most dangerous offenders, relying on their canine partners to conduct searches, pursue suspects, and deter criminal activity. These dogs are invaluable tools in our policing efforts,” McCallum stated.
The proposed amendment aims to raise the maximum prison sentence for killing a police dog from two years to five years. Additionally, the bill seeks to increase the maximum fine for such offenses from $15,000 to $50,000, reflecting the gravity of this crime.
Tragically, 24 police dogs have lost their lives in the line of duty, with the most recent incident involving a police dog named Gazza, who was shot in Porirua in 2016. “The loss of any police dog is a heartbreaking event, particularly given their significant contributions to public safety,” McCallum remarked. “In essence, the death of a single police dog is one too many.”
McCallum stressed that there are no valid reasons for intentionally killing police dogs. He expressed hope that if his bill is drawn from the parliamentary ballot, his colleagues will recognize its importance and work collaboratively to pass it into law.
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