South Carolina Bills Would Increase Penalties for Killing Police K-9s
The maximum prison sentence for killing a police dog or horse would rise from five years to 10 years. The offense also would carry a minimum two-year jail sentence and a fine of up to $20,000.
Anderson County Sheriff’s Office dog Hyco was fatally shot Oct. 21 while pursuing three men into a wooded area. (Photo: Anderson County SO)
Three South Carolina legislators intend to introduce bills that would increase the state's criminal penalties for harming and killing law-enforcement animals.
Rep. Jonathon Hill and Rep. Neal Collins are sponsoring a measure called "Fargo's and Hyco's Law," the Independent Mail reports. Fargo is a Richland County Sheriff's Office dog that was killed in 2011 while pursuing an armed robber. Hyco is an Anderson County Sheriff's Office dog that was fatally shot Oct. 21 while chasing three men into a wooded area near New Prospect Church Road.
Under their bill, the maximum prison sentence for killing a police dog or horse would rise from five years to 10 years. The offense also would carry a minimum two-year jail sentence and a fine of up to $20,000.
Abuse of a police dog or horse would carry a maximum punishment of five years in prison and a $5,000 fine, according to provisions of their bill, which will be filed next month.
More Patrol
The First Responders Children’s Foundation National First Responders Day Roll Call of Heroes Ceremony Returns to Times Square, NYC
First Responders Children’s Foundation (FRCF), in collaboration with T-Mobile, will host the Roll Call of Heroes ceremony in Times Square to commemorate National First Responders Day on Wednesday, Oct. 28. During the event, FRCF will present 18 Hero Awards.
Read More →
Streamlight to Showcase Newest Lighting Products for Law Enforcement Professionals at IACP 2026
Streamlight will showcase its newest lights for law enforcement at the International Association of Chiefs of Police Annual Conference & Expo. Featured lights will include the TLR-3 X, the PolyTac 1X, and more.
Read More →
Streamlight Portable Scene Light III Wins 2026 OH&S New Product of the Year Award
Streamlight’s Portable Scene Light III has won the 2026 Occupational Health & Safety (OH&S) New Product of the Year Award in the Lighting category.
Read More →
Adept Armor Introduces Two New Rifle Plates
Adept Armor has launched two new Level IV ballistic plates, the Emperor and the Archon Mark 2, which brings Adept Armor’s new Quatroid ceramic to the high-threat, performance-value center of the range at 5.2 pounds.
Read More →
POLICE Product Test: Benchmade Bailout
The Benchmade Bailout is a slim, lightweight carry knife with a deep-ride pocket clip and comes in a variety of blade steels and scales. Here is a detailed review of the Taiga Green Bailout, released earlier this year.
Read More →
NLEOMF Announces July 2026 Officer of the Month
NLEOMF honored a Michigan deputy sheriff as the July 2026 Officer of the Month for rescuing a trapped driver from a burning vehicle following a Fourth of July crash.
Read More →
Streamlight to Showcase Newest Lighting Products at National Safety Council’s Safety Congress & Expo 2026
Streamlight will showcase its latest lights, including the Portable Scene Light III and the LiteBox 1Million, at the 2026 National Safety Council (NSC) Safety Congress & Expo.
Read More →
The 2027 World Police & Fire Games Set for Perth, Australia
The 2027 World Police & Fire Games (WPFG) will take place in Perth, Western Australia, from Friday, March 12 through Sunday, March 21, 2027.
Read More →
5.11 Partners with National Fallen Firefighters Foundation to Support #ForThe343
5.11 has joined the nationwide movement honoring the 343 New York City Fire Department firefighters lost on Sept. 11, 2001.
Read More →
Team Wendy Announces Title Sponsorship of the Jorge Pastore Foundation
Team Wendy’s 3-year partnership with the Jorge Pastore Foundation expands access to programs that strengthen those who serve.
Read More →