A measure that would enhance the penalties against animal cruelty were advanced on Monday through the full Assembly. Under the bill, any person who purposely kills a dog, horse or other animal owned or used by a law enforcement agency or a search and rescue dog shall be guilty of a crime of the third degree, which would carry a minimum fixed term of imprisonment of five years, during which the defendant shall be ineligible for parole. In addition, the court shall impose a fine of $15,000. Assemblyman Bob Andrzejczak was a sponsor of the bill.
