SENATE BILL REPORT

                            HB 1864

   AS REPORTED BY COMMITTEE ON LAW & JUSTICE, APRIL 2, 1993

Brief Description:  Affording accelerant detection dogs the same protection as police dogs.

SPONSORS: Representatives Finkbeiner, Dyer, Horn, L. Johnson, Orr, Brumsickle, Cothern, Springer, Mastin, Brough, Long, King and R. Meyers

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON JUDICIARY

SENATE COMMITTEE ON LAW & JUSTICE

Majority Report:  Do pass. 

     Signed by Senators A. Smith, Chairman; McCaslin, Nelson, Niemi, Rinehart, and Roach.

Staff:  Tom Fender (786‑7414)

Hearing Dates: April 2, 1993

BACKGROUND:

The State Fire Marshal may use an "accelerant detection dog" in an arson investigation to detect whether an accelerant was used to set the fire.  Unlike police dogs, accelerant detection dogs are not protected by a criminal statute which prohibits injuring or killing a police dog.  A person is guilty of harming a police dog if the person maliciously injures, disables, shoots, or kills a dog that the person knows or has reason to know is a police dog.  The dog does not have to be engaged in police work when the person injures or kills the dog.  Harming a police dog is a class C felony.

SUMMARY:

Accelerant detection dogs are defined.  If a person maliciously injures, disables, shoots, or kills such an animal, the person shall be guilty of a class C felony.  The dog is protected at all times.

Appropriation:  none

Revenue:  none

Fiscal Note:  none requested

TESTIMONY FOR:

Cities require this legislation before making the necessary investment in this arson tool.

TESTIMONY AGAINST:  None

TESTIFIED:  Rand-Scott Coggan, Chief, City of Redmond Fire Dept.