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Iowa · Through Iowa Code 2026 edition

Iowa Code § 717B.9: Injury or interference with a police service dog.

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Where this section sits in the code
  1. Title XVI - CRIMINAL LAW AND PROCEDURE (Ch. 687 - 916)
  2. Chapter 717B - MISTREATMENT OF ANIMALS

1. A person who knowingly, and willfully or maliciously torments, strikes, administers a nonpoisonous desensitizing substance to, or otherwise interferes with a police service dog, without inflicting serious injury on the dog, commits a serious misdemeanor.

2. A person who knowingly, and willfully or maliciously does any of the following commits a class “D” felony:

a. Tortures a police service dog.

b. Injures, so as to disfigure or disable, a police service dog.

c. Sets a booby trap device for purposes of injuring, so as to disfigure or disable, or killing a police service dog.

d. Pays or agrees to pay a bounty for purposes of injury, so as to disfigure or disable, or killing a police service dog.

e. Kills a police service dog.

f. Administers poison to a police service dog.

3. As used in this section, “police service dog” means a dog used by a peace officer or correctional officer in the performance of the officer’s duties, whether or not the dog is on duty.

4. This section does not apply to a peace officer or veterinarian who terminates the life of such a dog for the purpose of relieving the dog of undue pain or suffering, or to a person who justifiably acts in defense of self or another.

Collected 2026-09-14T19:40:18Z. Source file · JSON

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