§ 11-1-33 Interfering with police service dog.
(A) While a police service dog is being caged, kenneled, transported, exhibited, exercised, or engaged in discharging or attempting to discharge any lawful duty or function, it is unlawful for any person to knowingly or recklessly commit or attempt to commit any of the following acts:
(1) Kill, injure, strike, kick, taunt, torment, tease, harass, shoot, poison, interfere with or bait a police service dog;
(2) Cause or direct any animal to attack or otherwise interfere with the police service dog;
(3) Throw an object or substance at a police service dog; or
(4) Interfere with or obstruct a police service dog, or interfere with or obstruct a law enforcement officer assisted by a police dog, in a manner that does any of the following:
(a) Inhibits or restricts the law enforcement officer’s control of the police service dog;
(b) Deprives the law enforcement officer of control of the police service dog;
(c) Releases the police service dog from its area of control;
(d) Enters the area of control of the police service dog without the consent of the law enforcement officer, including placing food or any other object or substance into that area without permission of the handler;
(e) Engages in any conduct that is likely to cause serious physical injury or death to a police service dog;
(f) Aid, assist, abet or encourage any of the actions identified in subsection (A)(1) through (A)(4) of this section.
(B) Restitution. In addition to other penalties, the court may order any person(s) joint and severally liable for the payment of all of the following:
(1) Any veterinary bills or bills for medication incurred as a result of the violation;
(2) Any damaged equipment that results from the violation; and
(3) The cost of replacing the police service dog and/or any further training of a new police service dog by a law enforcement officer that is required due to the death of or serious physical harm to the police service dog that is the subject of the violation.
(C) As used in this section:
(1) HANDLER. A law enforcement officer who is specially trained, and uses a police service dog during the course of the performance of their law enforcement powers or duties.
(2) LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICER. Those persons responsible for the enforcement of the provisions of the Goodyear Municipal Code, including provisions related to fire, building, zoning, and life and safety codes; those individuals empowered to make arrests for offenses under the Goodyear Municipal Code; or those individuals responsible for the enforcement of federal or state criminal laws.
(3) PHYSICAL HARM. Any injury, illness, or other physiological impairment, regardless of its gravity or duration.
(4) POLICE SERVICE DOG. A dog that has been trained, and may be used to assist law enforcement officers in the performance of their official duties.
(D) A violation of this section is a Class 1 misdemeanor subject to the penalties set forth in Article 1-8. (Ord. 09-1201, passed 12-14-09)