Pennsylvania Act 2005-96 — CRIMES CODE (18 PA.C.S.) - POLICE ANIMALS

Act text

CRIMES CODE (18 PA.C.S.) - POLICE ANIMALS
                  Act of Dec. 22, 2005, P.L. 483, No. 96              Cl. 18
                             Session of 2005
                               No. 2005-96

     SB 895

                                  AN ACT

     Amending Title 18 (Crimes and Offenses) of the Pennsylvania
        Consolidated Statutes, further providing for police animals.

        The General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
     hereby enacts as follows:

        Section 1.  Section 5511.2(d) of Title 18 of the Pennsylvania
     Consolidated Statutes is amended to read:
      § 5511.2.  Police animals.
        * * *
        (d)  Definitions.--As used in this section, the following
     words and phrases shall have the meanings given to them in this
     subsection:
        "Accelerant detection dog."  A dog which is trained for
     accelerant detection, commonly referred to as arson canines.
        "Bomb detection dog."  A dog which is trained to locate a
     bomb or explosives by scent.
        "Narcotic detection dog."  A dog which is trained to locate
     narcotics by scent.
        "Police animal."  An animal, including, but not limited to,
     dogs and horses, used by the Pennsylvania State Police, a police
     department created by a metropolitan transportation authority
     operating under 74 Pa.C.S. Ch. 17 (relating to metropolitan
     transportation authorities), a police department created
     pursuant to the act of April 6, 1956 (1955 P.L.1414, No.465),
     known as the Second Class County Port Authority Act, the Capitol
     Police, the Department of Corrections, a county facility or
     office or by a municipal police department, fire department,
     search and rescue unit or agency or handler under the
     supervision of such department, search and rescue unit or agency
     in the performance of the functions or duties of such
     department, search and rescue unit or agency, whether the animal
     is on duty or not on duty. The term shall include, but not be
     limited to, an accelerant detection dog, bomb detection dog,
     narcotic detection dog, search and rescue dog and tracking
     animal.
        "Search and rescue dog."  A dog which is trained to locate
     lost or missing persons, victims of natural or manmade disasters
     and human bodies.
        "Tracking animal."  An animal which is trained to track or
     used to pursue a missing person, escaped inmate or fleeing
     felon.
        Section 2.  This act shall take effect in 60 days.

     APPROVED--The 22nd day of December, A. D. 2005.

     EDWARD G. RENDELL