Utah Lawmakers Consider K9 Training Restrictions After Audit

Utah lawmakers are now considering adding further training requirements for dogs and their handlers. At an interim committee hearing on Tuesday, legislators unanimously approved a bill that would require annual certification for Utah police dogs and their handlers. The bill would also amend provisions so that an officer cannot be held liable for a dog’s actions if the animal goes against the officer's commands. Body camera footage was released this summer of a police officer directing a dog to attack a man who had his hands in the air. The department later released body camera footage of 18 additional dog bite incidents following an internal audit.