97-41-23 - Injury and killing of public service animals; penalties. - Mississippi Statutes

§ 97-41-23. Injury and killing of public service animals; penalties.
 

(1)  It is unlawful for any person to willfully and maliciously taunt, torment, tease, beat, strike, or to administer, expose or inject any desensitizing drugs, chemicals or substance to any public service animal. Any person who violates this section is guilty of a misdemeanor, and upon conviction thereof shall be fined not more than Two Hundred Dollars ($200.00) and be imprisoned not more than five (5) days, or both. 

(2)  Any person who, without just cause, purposely kills or injures any public service animal is guilty of a felony and upon conviction shall be fined not more than Five Thousand Dollars ($5,000.00) and be imprisoned not more than five (5) years, or both. 

(3)  For purposes of this section, the term "public service animal" means any animal trained and used to assist a law enforcement agency, public safety entity or search and rescue agency. 

(4)  Any person guilty of violating subsection (2) of this section shall also be required to make restitution to the law enforcement agency or owner aggrieved thereby. 

(5)  The provisions of this section shall not apply to the lawful practice of veterinary medicine. 
 

Sources: Laws, 2003, ch. 498, § 1, eff from and after July 1, 2003.