Is Shooting a K9 Officer the Same as Shooting a Human Officer In Illinois?

A police K9 getting shot in the line of duty is something no department ever wants to face. But after this weekend's shooting in Rockford, a lot of people are asking the same question:

Is Shooting a K9 Officer the Same as Shooting a Human Officer In Illinois?

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Over the weekend, a Rockford Police K9 was shot in the line of duty while pursuing a suspect near the Circle K on E. State Street. The suspect, identified as 38-year-old Vernon Frills of Madison, Wisconsin, allegedly opened fire after fleeing a traffic stop, striking the K9 ("Andi") in the paw and shoulder. The dog was rushed to an emergency vet and is expected to make a full recovery following surgery, according to mystateline.com.

Frills is now facing a list of charges, including Attempted Murder of a Police Officer, Aggravated Discharge of a Firearm at a Police Officer, and Injuring a Police K-9, among others.

Which raises a question: Is shooting a police K9 treated the same as shooting a human officer?

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The Legal Differences

While K9s are officially sworn members of many police departments and play a critical role in law enforcement, the law does not treat them the same as human officers. In Illinois, injuring or killing a police dog is a felony offense—but it's not considered attempted murder.

The charge in this Rockford case, injuring a Police K-9, is a Class 4 felony, which carries significantly lighter penalties than Attempted Murder of a Police Officer, a Class X felony. The legal system recognizes the value of these animals, but the sentencing guidelines still reflect the difference between harming a human and an animal, even one serving in uniform.

Supporting Our Four-Legged Officers

Our K9s are more than tools—they're brave, loyal, and willing to put themselves in harm's way to help protect us. If you'd like to support the Rockford Police Department's K9 Unit, visit the Friends of Rockford Police K-9 Unit website and follow them on Facebook.

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