California Reps Claims K9s Racist, Introduces Bill to Ban

By Ophelia Garrett

In Brief: 

Two California Democrats have introduced a bill to ban using K9 police dogs for criminal apprehension. They state that it is traumatic for those whose ancestors suffered racism. 

The Background: 

Assembly Members Corey Jackson (D-Perris) and Ash Kalra (D-San Jose) introduced AB 742 proposing the ban of K9 use. Jackson and Kalra stated in their news release that their goal was to “end a deeply racialized and harmful practice that has been a mainstay in America’s history of racial bias and violence against Black Americans and people of color.” 

“The use of police canines has inflicted brutal violence and lifelong trauma on Black Americans and communities of color. This bill marks a turning point in the fight to end this cruel and inhumane practice and build trust between the police and the communities they serve,” stated Jackson.

However, Sheriff Mark Lamb of Pinal County in Arizona told the Daily Wire that he’s “absolutely seen cases where lethal force would have been justified, and was likely going to be used next had the [police] dog not been effective. The dogs are extremely valuable. And the fact that they want to take this away seems to be contradicting what they want across this country, which is more and more reform. So, I can’t understand what they’re trying to do.”  

Notable Quotes: 

“The use of police canines has severe and potentially deadly consequences for bite victims, especially communities of color. This bill sets a new standard for California and marks an important step in ending this inhumane practice.” –Carlos Marquez III, executive director of ACLU California Action