Max's Law makes new strides

May 19—Max's Law, a bill that increases penalties for injuring or killing police K9 dogs, has been passed by the Missouri General Assembly as part of a comprehensive public safety bill.

Senator Tony Luetkemeyer, who sponsored the legislation, has worked for three years to get Max's Law approved after the tragic killing of St. Joseph K9 dog, Max, in 2020.

Luetkemeyer said it's not uncommon for a piece of legislation to be declined when first proposed.

"Right now, under Missouri law, it's actually a more serious crime to break the window out of a police car, which is admittedly a serious crime, than it is to kill a law enforcement canine, as it is ordinary property damage," Luetkemeyer said. "What Max's Law does is it increases the penalty for killing a law enforcement canine to a felony offense, meaning that somebody who does that can actually spend time in prison."

Initially rejected and then vetoed, the senator made provisions to the bills and feels confident it will get signed into law this year.

"This bill is really designed to make sure that we're protecting these animals who put their lives on the line not only to protect their human partners, but to protect the public at large as well," Luetkemeyer said.

If signed by Governor Parson, Luetkemeyer said he hopes for Max's Law to go into effect within the next few months.