Harming animals used in law enforcement

Section 1368 of title 18, United States Code, is amended by striking subsection (b) and inserting the following: (b) Whoever, in the commission of any act described in subsection (a), uses a deadly or dangerous weapon (including a weapon intended to cause death or danger but that fails to do so by reason of a defective component), shall be fined under this title or imprisoned not more than 15 years, or both. (c) In this section, the term police animal means a dog or horse in the service of a Federal agency (whether in the executive, legislative, or judicial branch), or in the service of a State, county, or local agency that is assisting a Federal agency— (1) for the principal purpose of aiding in the detection of criminal activity, enforcement of laws, or the apprehension of criminal offenders, the detection of flammable materials, the investigation of fires, the detection of missing persons (including persons who are lost, who are trapped under debris as the result of a natural, manmade, or technological disaster, or who are drowning victims); or (2) used in any official military capacity by the Department of Defense. (d) This section does not apply to a person who acts in good faith to provide emergency veterinary care to an injured police animal..