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South Dakota statute

SDCL § 22-11-36 — Killing, injury, or interference with a law enforcement support animal prohibited--Felony or misdemeanor

Current through text effective June 30, 2026 (through the 2025 Regular Session)

Part of Chapter 11: Obstruction Of The Administration Of Government, South Dakota Codified Laws.

Criminal charges under this statute

Full text of SDCL § 22-11-36

Statutory text current through the text effective June 30, 2026 (through the 2025 Regular Session). This publication reproduces the official statutory text; it is not the official statutes of the State of South Dakota.

SDCL § 22-11-36Primary source, current through the text effective June 30, 2026 (through the 2025 Regular Session)
If any person intentionally and unjustifiably kills a law enforcement animal, the person is guilty of a Class 6 felony. If any person intentionally and unjustifiably causes physical injury to, torments, strikes, disables, or tampers with a law enforcement support animal, the person is guilty of Class 1 misdemeanor. If any person harasses, taunts, or provokes a law enforcement support animal; interferes with a law enforcement support animal while the animal is working; or interferes with the individual handling the animal, the person is guilty of Class 2 misdemeanor. For purposes of this section, the term, law enforcement support animal, means any animal that is on duty which is being used by or on behalf of a law enforcement officer in the performance of the officer's functions and duties. This section does not apply to a law enforcement officer or a veterinarian who terminates the life of a law enforcement support animal to relieve the animal of undue suffering and pain.

Official sources

Legal terms used in this section

Questions this section answers

Is killing, injury, or interference with a law enforcement support animal prohibited a felony or a misdemeanor in South Dakota?

It depends on the circumstances: killing, injury, or interference with a law enforcement support animal prohibited ranges from a Class 2 Misdemeanor to a Class 6 Felony in South Dakota under SDCL § 22-11-36.

Killing a law enforcement animal: Class 6 Felony (SDCL § 22-11-36) · Injury or tampering with a law enforcement support animal: Class 1 Misdemeanor (SDCL § 22-11-36) · Harassment or interference with a law enforcement support animal or handler: Class 2 Misdemeanor (SDCL § 22-11-36)

Which South Dakota statute covers killing, injury, or interference with a law enforcement support animal prohibited?

Killing, injury, or interference with a law enforcement support animal prohibited is governed by SDCL § 22-11-36 (Killing, injury, or interference with a law enforcement support animal prohibited--Felony or misdemeanor).

This reference is informational and is not legal advice.