Policy

New Colorado Law Requires Police To Get Training for Dealing With Dogs

Rather than blasting away at the sight of Fido

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KUSA—There is a meeting on Wednesday about the new Dog Protection Act in Colorado.

The Dog Protection Act, which tackles the problem of over 40 cases where Colorado police officers shot non-threatening family dogs, passed the Colorado Senate and the House and was signed into law by Colorado's Governor John Hickenlooper. The Dog Protection Act bill is the first such law in America. …

The legislation would require sheriff and police departments to offer three hours of online training for deputies and officers on how to recognize dog behaviors and employ non-lethal methods to control them when necessary. The legislation would also direct law enforcement to implement procedures to allow dog owners the option to control or remove their dogs during a non-violent call.