Minnesota § 609.597 - ASSAULTING OR HARMING POLICE HORSE; PENALTIES
Full text of Minnesota Minnesota Statutes § 609.597 — ASSAULTING OR HARMING POLICE HORSE; PENALTIES, with citation guidance and answers to common questions.
§ 609.597. ASSAULTING OR HARMING POLICE HORSE; PENALTIES
Subdivision 1.Definition.
As used in this section, "police horse" means a horse that has been trained for crowd control and other law enforcement purposes and is used to assist peace officers or reserve officers in the performance of their official duties.
Subd. 2.Crime.
Whoever assaults or intentionally harms a police horse while the horse is being used or maintained for use by a law enforcement agency, or while under the control of a reserve officer who is operating at the direction of, under the control of, or on behalf of a peace officer or a law enforcement agency, is guilty of a crime and may be sentenced as provided in subdivision 3.
Subd. 3.Penalties.
A person convicted of violating subdivision 2 may be sentenced as follows:
(1) if a peace officer, a reserve officer, or any other person suffers great bodily harm or death as a result of the violation, the person may be sentenced to imprisonment for not more than five years or to payment of a fine of not more than $10,000, or both;
(2) if the police horse suffers death or great bodily harm as a result of the violation, or if a peace officer or a reserve officer suffers demonstrable bodily harm as a result of the violation, the person may be sentenced to imprisonment for not more than two years or to payment of a fine of not more than $4,000, or both;
(3) if the police horse suffers demonstrable bodily harm as a result of the violation, the person may be sentenced to imprisonment for not more than one year and one day or to payment of a fine of not more than $3,000, or both;
(4) if a peace officer or a reserve officer is involuntarily unseated from the police horse or any person, other than the peace officer or reserve officer, suffers demonstrable bodily harm as a result of the violation, the person may be sentenced to imprisonment for not more than 364 days or to payment of a fine of not more than $3,000, or both;
(5) if a violation other than one described in clauses (1) to (4) occurs, the person may be sentenced to imprisonment for not more than 90 days or to payment of a fine of not more than $1,000, or both.
History:
1995 c 179 s 1; 2004 c 228 art 1 s 72; 2011 c 85 s 3; 2023 c 52 art 6 s 16
Official Publication of the State of Minnesota
Revisor of Statutes
Source: official Minnesota text · Last verified 2026-08-27
Frequently Asked Questions About Minnesota § 609.597
What does Minnesota Statutes § 609.597 cover?
Section 609.597 ("ASSAULTING OR HARMING POLICE HORSE; PENALTIES") is part of the Minnesota Statutes, the codified statutory law of Minnesota. It sets out the legal rule or procedure described in the text above. Statutes are amended regularly, so always verify against the official source.
How do I cite Minnesota § 609.597?
A common citation format is "Minnesota Statutes § 609.597" (Minnesota). Legal writing may require the code abbreviation, section number, and year or edition. Match the style required by your court, professor, or publisher.
Is this the official text of Minnesota law?
No. This page is for research and education and may not include the most recent amendments. For official current law, check the Minnesota official source linked on this page or consult a licensed Minnesota attorney.
How does Minnesota § 609.597 apply to my situation?
Statutes are interpreted in context, and application depends on your specific facts. Only a licensed attorney in Minnesota can advise on how this section applies to you. Contact your state or local bar association for a referral.
Sources & Verification
Not legal advice. Verify against the official source and consult a licensed attorney in Minnesota.