Modifies the penalties for the offense of assault on a law enforcement animal

SB 1253 modifies the criminal penalties for assaulting law enforcement animals, such as police dogs or search-and-rescue animals. The bill directly affects individuals who commit this offense, potentially changing the severity of punishments they face. It alters the existing penalty structure for this specific crime but does not specify whether penalties would increase, decrease, or reclassify the offense. The bill is currently pending, having been prefilled and received its first reading in early 2026.