March 22, 2011
Governor Mark Dayton signed House File 141/Senate File 121 into law. The new law increases the penalties for people who injure or kill police or other public safety dogs.
Major the police dog helped usher in stiffer criminal penalties in Minnesota for people who harm or kill public safety animals.
Gov. Mark Dayton signed the bill Tuesday with Major at his side. The German shepherd is now retired from the Roseville Police Department after a robbery suspect stabbed him four times last November.
Governor Dayton said “I am grateful for the service that police officers and their canine partners provide to Minnesota citizens, risking their lives to keep us safe. I want to thank Rep. Cornish and Sen. Hall for authoring the legislation. Roseville Police Officer John Jorgensen and his German Shepherd partner, K-9 Major, deserve special recognition. Major was stabbed four times in the back and was paralyzed as a result. This tragedy led to the passage of the bill I am proud to sign into law today.”
