New state law increases penalties for harming police dogs in South Carolina
Horry County Sheriff’s Office Cpl. Misty Puckett and her K9 partner, Miki, traveled to Columbia to support the signing of Fargo’s Law, legislation named for a police K9 killed in the line of duty.
The new law sharply increases the consequences for harming law‑enforcement animals.
Penalties for killing a police dog rise from a maximum of five years in prison and a $5,000 fine to as much as 15 years behind bars and fines up to $20,000. It also strengthens criminal penalties for teasing, taunting, tormenting, beating, or killing police K9s anywhere in South Carolina.
Puckett said the measure reflects long‑overdue recognition of the role K9s play in public safety.
“I’m thankful our lawmakers recognize K9s as legitimate members of the law enforcement community,” she said.
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