Which offense covers interfering with a police service animal, including hindering the animal or its handler, or releasing the animal from control?

• A. Interference with Police Service Animal
• B. Interference with Public Duties
• C. Evading Arrest or Detention
• D. Prohibited Substances

Answer: (A)

Interfering with a police service animal is a specific offense that protects the animal and its handler by targeting actions that directly disrupt the animal’s ability to work. It clearly covers hindering the animal or its handler and releasing the animal from control, which is precisely what the scenario describes. This direct focus on the service animal makes it the best fit for the question. Broader offenses like interfering with public duties address officers in general rather than the animal, while evading arrest or detention and prohibited substances relate to different conduct entirely. So the offense that explicitly targets interference with a police service animal is the appropriate choice.