October 29, 2021
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'Joker's Law' amendment headed to TN General Assembly - WRCB-TV

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The Bradley County Sheriff’s Office said in a Facebook post that they "fully support TN State Representative Mark Hall’s proposal to make Tennessee’s Felony Assault on Law Enforcement K-9s the most aggressive law in the nation."

Tennessee State Rep. Mark Hall (left) and Officer Ed Choate and his BCSO partner K-9 Joker at right.
Tennessee State Rep. Mark Hall (left) and Officer Ed Choate and his BCSO partner K-9 Joker at right.

A proposed amendment named for the Bradly County Sheriff's Office K-9 shot and seriously injured earlier this year appears to be headed to the Tennessee General Assembly.

Tennessee State Rep. Mark Hall (R-D.24) hopes to amend the Tennessee Code Annotated relative
to criminal offenses against an animal.

In a release from Hall's office, he explained that "This amendment is aimed at criminals, plain and simple. It is aimed at criminals regardless of age, who are committing crimes, which injure or kill any service K-9 or horse."

The amendment proposes that such crimes be classified as a Class B Felony, which can be punishable by eight to 30 years' imprisonment, as well as a fine of up to $25,000 per TCA 40-35-111.

Joker went home with his handler on October 5 but still faces a long rehabilitation. The K-9 was shot on September 22 during an auto theft investigation.

Six juveniles were later detained after the incident, and were charged with 15 counts of Auto Burglary, Conspiracy to Commit Auto Burglary, and Felony Evading Arrest. They were also charged with Theft Over Theft Over $10,000, Conspiracy to Commit Theft Over $10,000, and Attempted Intentional Killing of An Animal by the Bradley County Sheriff’s Office.

The Bradley County Sheriff’s Office said in a Facebook post that they "fully support TN State Representative Mark Hall’s proposal to make Tennessee’s Felony Assault on Law Enforcement K-9s the most aggressive law in the nation."



source: https://www.wrcbtv.com/story/45087277/jokers-law-amendment-headed-to-tn-general-assembly

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