K9 Jinx’s handler sees house bill signed into law

Ashley Eberhardt
·2 min read
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(COLORADO) — Deputy Ronnie Hancock, the handler of fallen El Paso County Sheriff’s Office (EPSO) K9 Jinx, was joined by Sheriff Joe Roybal for the signing of a House Bill making cruelty to a law enforcement animals a Class 4 felony.

According to EPSO, on Wednesday, April 17, Deputy Hancock and Sheriff Roybal joined law enforcement partners from across Colorado, House Majority Leader Duran, Representative Armagost, Senators Ginal and Gardner, and Governor Jared Polis for the signing of House Bill 24-1074, Aggravated Cruelty to Law Enforcement Animals.

PREVIOUS COVERAGE: “Jinx’s Law” passes in House Judiciary Committee

This legislation follows the passing of HB 23-1286 in 2023, which increased penalties for cruelty to police and service animals. Both bills were inspired by EPSO K9 Jinx, who was killed in the line of duty on April 11, 2022, during an incident in Manitou Springs.

The most recent bill specifies that “a person commits the offense of aggravated cruelty to animals if the person knowingly or recklessly kills or causes serious physical harm resulting in the death of a law enforcement animal or causes serious physical harm to a degree the law enforcement animal must be decommissioned from active duty for at least three months,” according to EPSO.

  • K9 Jinx's handler sees cruelty to K9s bill signed into law
    Courtesy: El Paso County Sheriff’s Office
  • K9 Jinx's handler sees cruelty to K9s bill signed into law
    Courtesy: El Paso County Sheriff’s Office
  • K9 Jinx's handler sees cruelty to K9s bill signed into law
    Courtesy: El Paso County Sheriff’s Office

“I am extremely pleased to see our K9 partners recognized for the invaluable service they provide to law enforcement with HB 24-1074 being signed into law. The powerful bond between handler and dog was shattered with the loss of Jinx in April of 2022, and our entire EPSO family has since mourned with Deputy Hancock, and his wife Julie,” said Sheriff Roybal. “Thank you to House Majority Leader Duran, Representative Armagost, and Senators Ginal and Gardner for leading this noble effort, and to Deputy Hancock and his wife Julie for continuing the fight for justice and dignity for our k9 partners. Additionally, I applaud Governor Polis for recognizing the importance of this legislation and signing it into law.”

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