GA: Georgia
Summary: Harming a law enforcement animal carries up to a felony with a $50,000 fine. HB 990 (2026), a retired K9 vet grant capped at $5,000 per dog per year, passed the House but died in the Senate. No EMS treatment law found.
Body armor
None found.
Medical & insurance
None found. Only general vet practice exemptions (O.C.G.A. § 43-50-44); K9 MEDIC state law map (verified Sep 18, 2026).
Retirement & service limits
None found.
Post retirement care
none found in force. See HB 990 below.
Penalties for harming police animals
O.C.G.A. § 16-11-107. Physical harm is a misdemeanor of a high and aggravated nature. Debilitating injury or shooting is a felony of 1 to 5 years and up to $25,000. Death is a felony of 18 months to 5 years and up to $50,000. Restitution is required. Justia
Pending or failed bills
- HB 990 (2025-26 session). A grant program run by the Criminal Justice Coordinating Council for vet costs of retired law enforcement dogs, funded by voluntary contributions and capped at $5,000 per dog per year. Sponsors: Reps. Imani Barnes (D), Clint Crowe (R), Sandy Donatucci (R), Bill Hitchens (R), Soo Hong (R), Steven Sainz (R); Sen. Kay Kirkpatrick (R). Crossed over Mar 4, 2026, read a second time in the Senate Mar 25, 2026. It died when the 2026 session ended. legis.ga.gov; BillTrack50
Sources
- https://www.legis.ga.gov/legislation/72257
- https://law.justia.com/codes/georgia/2022/title-16/chapter-11/article-4/part-1/section-16-11-107/
- Cross state reference: K9 MEDIC state law map (verified Sep 18, 2026)
- Federal backdrop (not state law): 18 U.S.C. § 1368 makes it a crime to harm a federal police animal, up to 10 years if the animal is seriously hurt or killed (Animal Legal & Historical Center).
Listing a bill or sponsor here does not mean they support the ARC Act.