K-9: West Virginia lawmakers should add extra protections
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"Something always starts with a spark that gets people's interest and involvement in the issue. This could be the one thing that does that for K-9 officers across the state," said state Sen. Ryan Weld, R-Brooke, in announcing a petition to make it a felony in West Virginia to injure or mistreat K-9 officers.
Sadly, the spark is the case of Chapmanville Police K-9 Chase, who has been missing from South Charleston since April.
According to a report by WOWK, the petition started a couple of weeks ago by the "Justice for K-9 Officer Chase" Facebook group has already received more than 1,200 signatures.
"I think it's a necessary step in order to protect those who protect the officers they work with," Weld told the news station.
Though there have been efforts in the past to pass such a law, Weld said K-9 officers are not protected in such a way under current law enforcement statute.
"It's an uphill battle," Shinnston Police Chief Jon Harbert told WOWK. "Everybody sees dogs as another tool. While they are somewhat a tool, they're also a breathing, living creature that did not choose this path. We chose it for them."
Surrounding states such as Kentucky and Ohio have similar laws in place to protect K-9 officers. In fact, in Ohio K-9 officers can be transported by ambulance if they are injured.
While thousands of signatures on a petition would be helpful, lawmakers should not need any help in deciding it is time to do more to protect these dogs. They are more than just man's best friend. These animals have been trained to serve and protect us, too, and deserve whatever protection we can give them.