Today, El Paso County Sheriff’s Office Deputy Ronnie Hancock and Sheriff Joseph Roybal joined law enforcement partners from across Colorado, House Majority Leader Duran, Representative Armagost, Senators Ginal and Gardner, and Governor Jared Polis, for the signing of House Bill 24-1074, Aggravated Cruelty to Law Enforcement Animals.

This legislation follows last year’s House Bill 23-1286, which increased penalties for cruelty to police and service animals.

Both HB 24-1074, and HB 23-1286, were inspired after El Paso County Sheriff’s Office K9 Jinx was killed in the line of duty on April 11, 2022, during an incident in Manitou Springs, Colorado.

Under current law, aggravated cruelty to animals is a class 4 felony. HB 24-1074 specifies a person commits the offense of aggravated cruelty to animals if the person knowingly or recklessly kills or causes serious physical harm resulting in the death of a law enforcement animal or causes serious physical harm to a degree the law enforcement animal must be decommissioned from active duty for at least three months. 

Sheriff Joe Roybal issued the following statement:

“I am extremely pleased to see our K9 partners recognized for the invaluable service they provide to law enforcement with HB 24-1074 being signed into law. The powerful bond between handler and dog was shattered with the loss of Jinx in April of 2022, and our entire EPSO family has since mourned with Deputy Hancock, his wife Julie.

“Thank you to House Majority Leader Duran, Representative Armagost, and Senators Ginal and Gardner for leading this noble effort, and to Deputy Hancock and his wife Julie for continuing the fight for justice and dignity for our k9 partners. Additionally, I applaud Governor Polis for recognizing the importance of this legislation and signing it into law.”