Increasing criminal penalties and fines for assault on certain public service workers, law-enforcement officers, and police animals

The bill's title and description were updated to reflect the expanded protection of various public safety animals and human workers, rather than just police dogs.

The bill now includes new definitions for 'health care worker', 'utility worker', and 'emergency service personnel' in addition to existing definitions for law enforcement and correctional employees.

A new requirement was added mandating restitution for victims when a public safety animal is killed or injured.

Penalties for harming public safety animals were updated to explicitly require that the animal be under the control of an officer acting in their official capacity and that the offender knew this.

The bill now explicitly includes utility workers and health care providers as protected individuals alongside law enforcement and emergency services personnel.

Added a new section (§61-5-30) establishing specific criminal penalties for causing death or injury to public safety animals used by law enforcement or fire officials.

Explicitly granted the right to self-defense as a defense for individuals charged with violating the new animal protection section.