UT: Utah
Summary: Under Utah Code § 76-9-306, injuring a police service animal is a third degree felony and killing one is a second degree felony, with restitution. SB 77 (2025) widened that to all "public safety animals." No statute was found on vests, EMS, retirement or retired care. Intermountain Life Flight runs a private K9 air ambulance program.
Body armor
- None found.
Medical & insurance
- No K9 EMS statute was found. Utah Code § 58-28-307(9) exempts emergency first aid to animals where no vet is available.
- Restitution: § 76-9-306 includes replacement, training and vet costs.
- Not law: Intermountain Life Flight launched a K9 medical air transport program for injured public safety animals.
Retirement & service limits
- None found.
Post retirement care
- None found.
Penalties for harming police animals
- Utah Code § 76-9-306. Intentionally or knowingly injuring a police service animal (now "public safety animal") is a third degree felony; causing its death is a second degree felony. Assault, interference or obstruction is a Class A misdemeanor. Restitution applies.
- SB 77 (2025 General Session), "Police Service Animal Amendments" / "Public Safety Animal Amendments," chief sponsor Sen. Jen Plumb. Extended the protections to animals of public safety organizations (EMS, fire, search and rescue, military). Signed by Gov. Cox in March 2025.
Pending or failed bills
- None found.
Sources
- SB 77 (2025): https://le.utah.gov/Session/2025/bills/static/SB0077.html ; introduced: https://le.utah.gov/Session/2025/bills/introduced/SB0077.pdf
- Governor's 2025 signing list: https://governor.utah.gov/press/gov-cox-vetoes-s-b-296-and-signs-200-bills-in-the-2025-general-legislative-session/
- Brooks Institute: https://thebrooksinstitute.org/animal-law-digest/us/issue-286/utah-expands-protections-service-animals-used-public-safety-organizations
- § 76-9-306: https://codes.findlaw.com/ut/title-76-utah-criminal-code/ut-code-sect-76-9-306/
- Intermountain Life Flight K9 program: https://news.intermountainhealth.org/intermountain-life-flight-launches-unique-k9-medical-air-transport-program-for-public-safety-animals-needing-medical-care-or-injured-in-the-line-of-duty/