Christie Signs Enhanced Penalty Law for Killing a Police Dog

On Tuesday, Gov. Chris Christie inked his signature in approval of Senate Bill 2451 and Assembly Bill 3602 which increases the penalty for killing a police dog on a police dog or service animal that is involved in a search and rescue effort. 

The law was drafted in response to the November 30, 2010 killing of Schultz, a 3 1/2 year-old German shepherd and member of Gloucester Township's police force. After tracking down a robbery suspect and latching onto the man's arm, Schultz was thrown into the path of oncoming traffic, where he was struck and killed.

It was sponsored in the Senate by Senators Fred Madden and Donald Norcross, and in the Assembly by Assemblymen Paul Moriarty, Ruben Ramos, and Charles Mainor. Assemblyman Robert Schroeder was one of the co-sponsors/

"Police dogs do not simply work alongside our police, they are part of our police," said Madden (D-Gloucester/Camden). "They provide a tremendous service and perform a vital function in assisting and protecting our communities. Protecting these animals, who are in turn protecting us, is to be taken seriously."

Under the new law, criminals found guilty of killing a police dog or a dog engaged in a search and rescue operation will receive a mandatory minimum five-year prison term, with no eligibility for parole, and a $15,000 fine. 

Killing a police or search and rescue dog previously was a third-degree crime and carried penalties of between three to five years in prison and fines of up to $15,000.

Schultz was well-known throughout Gloucester Township, where he was a fixture at police presentations to schools and local organizations. He lived with his handler, Cpl. Mark Pickard, and his family. He was memorialized with full police honors; the memorial service drew hundreds of residents and K-9 police units from as far away as Virginia.

"Dogs that assist law enforcement are loyal allies in the fight against crime," said Ramos (D-Hudson). "This dog, like many others, was simply doing his job serving and protecting the public. They deserve legitimate protection against abuse, and those who abuse them need to face severe punishment."

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Assemblyman Robert Schroeder publicized his four-page June 2011 newsletter this week also. The newsletter (at right) outlines the changes for himself and Vandervalk under the new legislative redistrict as they will still represent District 39, but without several Pascack Valley area towns.

He also outlined the eight bills that he has been busy working on. Of the eight bills, one passed both houses, one was approved in the Assembly and Gov. Christie signed a third into law. Four bills are still pending to move forward and the final bill is waiting to be filed.

Lastly he congratulated the many local young men that earned the rank of Eagle Scout, the IHA golf team on claiming the County Championship for the third consecutive row, Pascack Regional school district robotics team and their 2011 Virginia Regional Competition, and Kevin Lynch, a banker from the Township of Washington who was named the Habitat for Humanity’s 2011 Builder of the Year Award Recipient.

New Eagle Scouts from the area include: Matthew Muccia, Stephen Cannon, Nicholas Felice, Nicholas LoGuercio and Jake Pepe of River Edge Troop 184; Christopher Bascomb, Samuel Becourtney, Alexander Eckert, Kyle Jurasin, Craig Marulis, Michael Montemarano and Albert Yu of Oradell Troop 36; Michael Pytlik and James McDonough of Township of Washington Troop 321.