Jinxs Law creates stricter punishments for cruelty to law enforcement animals [Video]

(COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo.) — A new law now in effect makes cruelty to law enforcement animals a Class Four Felony.

Governor Jarred Polis signed HB24-1074 Wednesday at the Capitol, this new measure is named after El Paso County Sheriff’s Office K9 Jinx who was killed in Manitou Springs on duty in April 2022.

His handler, Deputy Ronnie Hancock said that before the law passed there were not strict enough penalties, which is why he and his wife lobbied for action and justice.

“After Jinx’s passing in 2022, my wife had figured out that the laws currently on the books would only have had a misdemeanor charge for the killing of Jinx…” he said.

The new law will see a mandatory minimum of two thousand dollars. The person convicted of the charge will also have to pay restitution to rehabilitate or replace the hurt or killed animal.

Hancock says that is not cheap by any means.

“A K9 could cost the dog itself with the …