VT: Vermont
Summary: Vermont has only general aggravated animal cruelty law, which covers intentionally injuring or killing an animal performing official duties under an officer's supervision (13 V.S.A. § 352a; up to 5 years / $5,000). Nothing was found on vests, EMS, retirement or retired care.
Body armor
- None found.
Medical & insurance
- None found. 26 V.S.A. § 2403 has no emergency exemption from vet licensing.
Retirement & service limits
- None found.
Post retirement care
- None found.
Penalties for harming police animals
- 13 V.S.A. § 352a, Aggravated cruelty to animals. This includes intentionally injuring or killing an animal performing official duties under a law enforcement officer's supervision. Penalty under § 353: up to 5 years and/or $5,000, or up to 10 years and/or $7,500 for repeat offenses. There's no police animal specific statute, and horses aren't named separately.
Pending or failed bills
- Act 118 (2026) amended the cruelty chapter (sexual assault of animals). It isn't K9-specific.
Sources
- 13 V.S.A. § 352a: https://legislature.vermont.gov/statutes/section/13/008/00352a ; § 353: https://legislature.vermont.gov/statutes/section/13/008/00353
- H.212 (2017) as introduced: https://legislature.vermont.gov/Documents/2018/WorkGroups/House%20Agriculture/Bills/H.212/H.212~Ben%20Jickling~As%20Introduced~2-14-2017.pdf
- Act 118 (2026): https://legislature.vermont.gov/Documents/2026/Docs/ACTS/ACT118/ACT118%20As%20Enacted.pdf
- K9 Medic map: https://www.k9medic.com/k9-laws/