505.22 TEASING OR TAUNTING POLICE DOG, HORSE OR HANDICAPPED ASSISTANCE DOG.

   (a)   No person shall knowingly taunt, torment or tease a police dog or horse in either of the following circumstances:

      (1)   The police dog or horse is assisting a law enforcement officer in the performance of his official duties at the time of the taunt, torment or tease.

      (2)   The police dog or horse is not assisting a law enforcement officer in his official duties at the time of the taunt, torment or tease, but the offender has actual knowledge that the dog or horse is a police dog or horse.

   (b)   No person shall knowingly taunt, torment or tease a handicapped assistance dog in either of the following circumstances:

      (1)   The handicapped assistance dog is assisting a blind, deaf, or mobility impaired person at the time of the taunt, torment or tease.

      (2)   The handicapped assistance dog is not assisting a blind, deaf, or mobility impaired person at the time of the taunt, torment or tease, but the offender has actual knowledge that the dog is a handicapped assistance dog.

   (c)   Definitions. As used in this section:

      (1)   "Police dog or horse" means a dog or horse that has been trained, and may be used, to assist law enforcement officers in the performance of their official duties.

      (2)   The words or phrases "police dog or horse", "handicapped assistance dog", "blind" and "mobility impaired person" have the same meanings as in subsections (a) and (b) hereof.

   (d)   Penalty.

      (1)   Whoever violates subsection (a) hereof is guilty of teasing or taunting a police dog or horse, a misdemeanor of the second degree.

      (2)   Whoever violates subsection (b) hereof is guilty of teasing or taunting a handicapped assistance dog, a misdemeanor of the second degree.

         (Ord. 97-402. Passed 11-26-97.)