Providing protection for search and rescue group dogs

HB 2395 amends West Virginia law to classify search and rescue (SAR) group dogs working with law enforcement under the West Virginia Emergency Management Search and Rescue Program as "law enforcement officers" during active duty. This directly affects SAR dogs and their handlers, granting handlers the right to use reasonable force to protect these dogs - similar to how they would defend a human officer. The bill clarifies that these dogs are not state employees and do not receive employee protections or status. It specifically applies to dogs trained for searching for people or cadavers while assisting in the field with handlers.