K9 Jinxs handler sees house bill signed into law [Video]

(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.

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 …