Okla. Officials Seek Tougher Laws After K-9 Killing

Oklahoma law enforcement officials are seeking changes to state law following the killing of "Creed," a Panama Police Department K-9, reports KFSM.com.

Creed, a two-year-old German Shepard, was killed at the home of his handler, Sgt. Bevil. Investigators believe Creed was targeted due to his police service finding narcotics.

In Oklahoma, killing a K-9 is  a misdemeanor charge, meaning that the killer can only face up to a year in jail and $1,000 worth of fines, Sgt. Bevil told the media. 

“We’re going to change the law in the state of Oklahoma to make the killing of any police K-9 a felony with mandatory jail time,” Capt. Travis Yates of the Tulsa Police told KFSM.com. “It’s just a shame that there’s an instance where it could just be a misdemeanor. That doesn’t make a lot of sense. So that needs to change.”

Friends and family of the Panama Police Department gathered following Creed's death at Panama First Baptist Church to honor and say goodbye to the department's only police dog.

“At this point, we’re just looking to move forward. We do have an ongoing investigation as far as the death goes,” said Sgt. Bevil.