HomeMy WebLinkAbout2002-029 Interference with a Police Dog ORDINANCE NO. 2002- 29
AN ORDINANCE relating to Public Safety and Morals; making willful interference with
a police dog a misdemeanor, and enacting a new section, section
6.48.060; of the City of Yakima Municipal Code.
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE CITY OF YAKIMA:
Section 1. Section 6.48.060 of the City of Yakima Municipal Code is hereby
enacted as a new section, to read as follows:
6.48.060 Willful Interference with a Police Doq.
A. It shall be unlawful for any person, under circumstances not amounting to
"Harming a Police Dog," as defined in RCW 9A.76.200, to willfully or
maliciously interfere with, obstruct, torture, beat, kick, strike, or in any way
abuse or harass any police dog or otherwise interfere with or attempt to
interfere with a police officer's use of any police dog while discharging or
attempting to discharge the duties of the police officer.
B. As used in this section, "police dog" is a dog used by any law enforcement
agency which dog has been specially trained for law enforcement and
which dog is under the control of a law enforcement officer.
C. Willful interference with a Police Dog is a misdemeanor.
Section 2. This ordinance shall be in full force and effect 30 days after its
passage, approval, and publication as provided by law and by the City Charter.
PASSED BY THE CITY COUNCIL, signed and approved this 7 day of
May , 2002
Place, Mayor
ATTEST:
By Xah.e 4
City Clerk
Publication Date: 5 -10 -2002
Effective Date: 6 -9 -2002
(Ik)ord/poGce dog interference 4 -02.jw
AP
BUSINESS OF THE CITY COUNCIL
YAKIMA, WASHINGTON
AGENDA STATEMENT
Item No. * oZ S
For Meeting of 5 -7 -02
ITEM TITLE: Consideration of an ordinance making it unlawful to willfully interfere
with a police dog.
SUBMITTED BY: Chief Blesio, Police Department
Capt. Jeff Schneider, Police Department
CONTACT PERSON/TELEPHONE: Chief Blesio - 575 -6211
SUMMARY EXPLANATION:
The Yakima Police Department uses police dogs seven days a week in a pro- active patrol
function. These dogs are routinely deployed in high risk, high threat situations. It is
currently a class "C" felony to harm or injure a police dog (9A.76.200). Due to their unique
function it is beneficial to provide the police dogs additional protection against mistreatment
that does not amount to the level of harm provided for in the R.C.W.
The proposed ordinance would make it a misdemeanor to, "willfully or maliciously interfere
with, obstruct, torture, beat, kick, strike, or in any way abuse or harass a police dog." It
would make it a misdemeanor to, "interfere with or attempt to interfere with a police
officer's use of any police dog while discharging or attempting to discharge" their duties.
This ordinance will provide police officers a tool to prevent persons who may be so inclined
to obstruct the use of our police dogs, which will enhance safety for not only the police
dogs and their handlers, but also for the public at large.
Resolution Ordinance _X Contract Other (Specify)
APPROVED FOR SUBMITTAL:
City Manager
STAFF RECOMMENDATION: It is recommended that the Council enact the proposed
ordinance.
BOARD /COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION:
COUNCIL ACTION: Ordinance passed. ORDINANCE NO. 2002 -29