California (CA): police and working animal protection laws
Summary: Penal Code 600 punishes harming police horses and dogs. AB 463 (2025) allows ambulance transport and first aid for injured police canines. A tax credit for adopting retired police dogs (AB 514, 2023-24) did not pass. No vest or retired care law found.
Body armor
none found.
Medical & insurance (including EMS treatment of injured K9s)
Health & Safety Code § 1797.10 (added by AB 463, 2025-26 session, chaptered; effective Jan 1, 2026). Ambulance operators may transport an injured police canine or search and rescue dog if no person needs it, with good faith immunity. H&S Code § 1799.109 lets responders give basic first aid to dogs and cats. AB 463 text; LegiScan; K9 MEDIC state law map, verified 18 Sep 2026
Retirement & service limits (age or service limits, handler adoption rights)
Post retirement care (retired K9 care funds)
none found statewide. San Diego looked at lifelong care for its own retired K9s, a city proposal and not state law (San Diego memo).
Penalties for harming police animals (context)
Penal Code § 600. Willfully and maliciously harming a horse or dog used by a peace officer can be a felony (16 months to 3 years) or up to a year in jail plus up to a $2,000 fine for serious injury. Lesser injury or interference is up to a year and $1,000. Restitution is required. Animal Legal & Historical Center
Pending or failed bills
- AB 514 (2023-24): $1,500 income tax credit for adopting a retired law enforcement dog. Not enacted. leginfo
- AB 463 (2025-26): enacted (see above).
Sources
- https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billNavClient.xhtml?bill_id=202520260AB463
- https://www.animallaw.info/statute/ca-service-animal-%C2%A7-600-horses-or-dogs-used-peace-officers-willful-and-malicious-harm-or
- Cross state reference: K9 MEDIC state law map, verified 18 Sep 2026
- Federal backdrop (not state law): 18 U.S.C. § 1368 makes it a crime to harm a federal police animal, up to 10 years if the animal is seriously hurt or killed (Animal Legal & Historical Center).