PHOENIX - After he was killed in the line of duty during the arrest of a suspect, Phoenix police K9 Bane received a procession fit for a fallen human officer.
We certainly consider dogs as part of the family, but does the law treat K9s like human officers?
Under Arizona law, police K9s are considered “working animals,” not law enforcement officers.
So intentionally harming or killing a K9 would constitute cruelty to animals, rather than aggravated assault on an officer or murder.
Under normal circumstances, cruelty to animals is a class 1 misdemeanor.
But because Bane was a working animal, and because the suspect’s actions were allegedly intentional, the offense would be considered a class 6 felony under Arizona law if he is found to be responsible for Bane's death.
It is unclear exactly how Bane died. According to police, the suspect was found on top of him.
A person who commits a class 6 felony in Arizona faces at least a year-and-a-half of prison time, depending on prior convictions.
If the officer killed were human, the suspect would face a charge of first-degree murder instead, a class 1 felony.
But, of course, that doesn’t discredit the importance of the dog, nor does it make it easier for those in the department, especially Bane’s handler.
"When we lose a family member, when we lose an animal that's done so much for their community, it certainly impacts us all as though it was an officer in many cases," said Sgt. Jon Howard with the Phoenix Police Department.
We asked you what you think the penalty should be for killing a K9 officer on Your Voice Wednesday, and most of you responded, "prison time."