INDIANAPOLIS (WBBM NEWSRADIO) - Indiana lawmakers have advanced legislation that would increase the penalty for the killing of a police K-9.
The legislation comes four years after a drunk driving suspect involved in pursuit by police in Fishers, a suburb of Indianapolis, shot and killed a K-9 named Harlej after the Belgian Malinois chased the man into a field.
There was a large turnout for the dog’s funeral.
Fisher Police Chief Ed Gebhart spoke to the legislators, saying Harlej’s sacrifice not only saved the lives of three officers but allowed police to apprehend the suspect.
State Representative Chris Jeter, a Republican from Fishers, sponsor of the legislation, said he was inspired by the outpouring of support from the community.
Killing a police K-9 would be elevated from a Level 6 felony to a Level 5 felony, punishable by one-to-six years in prison. It would be the same as reckless homicide.
The man who killed the dog got 6 years, but he was convicted of other crimes at the same time.
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