Police horses in Colorado would receive additional protection against animal cruelty crimes if a bill proposed in that state’s legislature becomes law.

Currently, Colorado law forbids the commission of any act of animal cruelty against certified police and service dogs, and subjects scofflaws to misdemeanor charges, fines, and other penalties. The new legislation, HB 1041, would amend current law to include certified police working horses.

The bill, introduced by State Representative Marc Catlin on Jan. 10, also protects anyone who reports suspected animal cruelty of a police working horse against civil liability connected to reporting the incident.

The Colorado House unanimously passed the bill on Feb. 8