newjerseynewsroom.com

Share this Twitter Myspace Digg Del.icio.us Reddit Slashdot Furl Yahoo Technorati Newsvine Facebook Export PDF Print E-mail Tags law police disease ” alzheimer’s dog commission crime rescue schultz killing residents term study gov family public members gloucester christie Article Index Christie signs Schultz's law, upgrading penalties for killing police and rescue dogs Page # All Pages

Governor also signs law to determine needs of Alzheimer's victims

Legislation enhancing penalties for intentionally killing an on-duty police or search and rescue dog is one of two bills signed into law by Gov. Chris Christie, his office announced on Wednesday.

The measure is called “Schultz’s Law” in memory of a Gloucester Township police dog killed by a crime suspect on Nov. 30, 2010 Schultz, was a 3 1/2 year-old German Shepherd. After tracking down a robbery suspect and latching onto the man’s arm, Schultz was thrown into oncoming traffic, where he was struck and killed.

The legislation was sponsored in the Senate by Senators Fred Madden and Donald Norcross (both D-Camden), and in the Assembly by Assemblymen Paul Moriarty (D-Gloucester), Ruben Ramos (D-Hudson), and Charles Mainor (D-Hudson).

“Dogs that assist law enforcement are valuable allies in the fight against crime,” Moriarty said. “Schultz was doing nothing more than his job – serving and protecting the public. This law will ensure all K-9 officers have strong protections against those who break society’s rules.”

Under the new law, criminals found guilty of killing a police dog or a dog engaged in a search and rescue operation will receive a mandatory minimum five-year prison term, with no eligibility for parole, and a $15,000 fine.

Killing a police or search and rescue dog previously was a third-degree crime and carried penalties of between three to five years in prison and fines of up to $15,000.

Schultz was well-known throughout Gloucester Township, where he was a fixture at police presentations to schools and local organizations. He lived with his handler, Cpl. Mark Pickard, and his family. He was memorialized with full police honors; the memorial service drew hundreds of residents and K-9 police units from as far away as Virginia.

“Dogs that assist law enforcement are loyal allies in the fight against crime,” Ramos said. “This dog, like many others, was simply doing his job serving and protecting the public. They deserve legitimate protection against abuse, and those who abuse them need to face severe punishment.”