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Governor Dayton has signed a bill that would increase penalties against people who injure or kill police dogs.  Dayton held the bill signing ceremony this afternoon

 and was joined by Roseville Police Office John Jorgensen and his German Shepherd canine partner, Major.  Major is paralyzed in his hind legs after being stabbed four times last November.  Jorgensen says the law wasn't enacted just because of Major's injuries.

"We have had a lot of canines assaulted over the course of the last couple of years in the state of Minnesota," Jorgensen said.  "This legislation needed to be brought forward so as the Senators and Representatives said, we can better protect these dogs that are quite often the tip of the spear for us out there.  We send them after the worst of the worst and they do that honorably and with extreme loyalty."

The new law means people who intentionally injure police dogs could be sentenced to up to two years in prison and pay fines of up to $5,000 if they injure or kill a police dog.



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An injured Roseville police dog attended the ceremony.

Dayton signs bill to protect police dogs

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