Bill would increase penalty for killing police K-9

SALT LAKE CITY — It costs tens of thousands of dollars to buy and train a police service dog, but their public service is ultimately invaluable. A new bill aims to protect police service animals by sharply increasing penalties for those who kill them.
SB57, sponsored by Sen. Jani Iwamoto, D-Holladay, would increase the severity of the offense of killing a police service animal from a third-degree felony to a second-degree felony.
Injuring a K-9 would remain a third-degree felony, but the b