MN: Minnesota
Summary: Killing or badly injuring a police dog is a felony with mandatory restitution. Certified EMS may treat wounded police dogs. No vest, retirement or retired care law found.
Body armor
None found.
Medical & insurance
Minn. Stat. § 156.12, subd. 2(k). Nothing in the vet practice act stops certified EMS from giving emergency care to a police dog wounded in the line of duty. Care only. K9 MEDIC state law map (verified Sep 18, 2026)
Retirement & service limits
None found.
Post retirement care
None found.
Penalties for harming police animals
Minn. Stat. § 609.596. Killing or causing great or substantial bodily harm to a police, SAR or arson dog is a felony up to 2 years and $5,000. Demonstrable harm is a gross misdemeanor. Restitution covers replacement, training and vet costs. revisor.mn.gov
Sources
- https://www.revisor.mn.gov/statutes/cite/609.596
- https://www.k9medic.com/k9-laws/
- 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).