Minnesota (MN): police and working animal protection laws
Summary: Killing or badly injuring a police dog is a felony with mandatory restitution. Certified EMS may treat wounded police dogs. No vest, retirement or retired care law found.
Body armor
none found.
Medical & insurance (including EMS treatment of injured K9s)
Minn. Stat. § 156.12, subd. 2(k). Nothing in the vet practice act stops certified EMS from giving emergency care to a police dog wounded in the line of duty. Care only. K9 MEDIC state law map, verified 18 Sep 2026
Retirement & service limits (age or service limits, handler adoption rights)
none found.
Post retirement care (retired K9 care funds)
none found.
Penalties for harming police animals (context)
Pending or failed bills
Sources
- https://www.revisor.mn.gov/statutes/cite/609.596
- https://www.k9medic.com/k9-laws/
- 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).