That is a load of BS!
Under the Federal Law Enforcement Animal Protection Act, which went into effect in 2000, anyone convicted of purposely assaulting, maiming, or killing federal law enforcement animals such as police dogs and horses could be fined at least $1,000 and spend up to 10 years in prison. Prior to this police canines were considered official property, and as such, resulted in relatively little punishment for harming or destroying them.