Kansas
Inspired by death of beloved dog, Kansas police animal protection bill set to become law • Kansas Reflector
TOPEKA — Posting a “Wizard of Oz” meme and accusing Gov. Laura Kelly of “political spite,” House Speaker Dan Hawkins led the charge to make those who severely injure or kill police dogs pay for their medical care or funerals.
House Bill 2583, known as “Bane’s Law,” was inspired by a Sedgwick County service dog named Bane that was killed last year by a fleeing suspect the dog had chased into a sewer drain.
Kelly vetoed the bill but on Monday was overridden 105-20 in the House and 29-10 in the Senate The law increases penalties for inflicting harm on law enforcement animals, including horses. The felony crime is now punishable by a minimum of 90 days in jail and a minimum fine of $10,000.
During the incarceration period, the perpetrator also will have to go through a psychological evaluation and completion of an anger management program as a condition of probation, although this provision is already included in Kansas statute.
The bill was introduced by Hawkins, R-Wichita, and Rep. Stephen Owens, R-Hesston, earlier in the session. Kansas statute previously required a minimum of 30 days in jail and a fine of more than $500 and less than $5,000 for the crime of severely harming or killing police dogs.
In her veto explanation, Kelly said the death of law enforcement animals is always a tragedy, but the heightened sentencing, psychological evaluation and anger management requirements were not mandated for other, more severe offenses.
“House Bill 2583 imposes mandatory minimum sentences that disregard important factors that should be left to the discretion of a judge through the regular sentencing process,” Kelly said. “Second, the mandatory sentences are out of line with other, more severe crimes without justification for why that is required. Third, while the requirement for a psychological evaluation and anger management program are important, we do not apply this same standard to many other heinous crimes.”
In response, Hawkins posted on X a meme of Kelly photoshopped into a picture of the Wicked Witch of the West from “The Wizard of Oz,” with the caption, “I’ll get you law enforcement, and your little dogs too!” Underneath, he wrote: “Don’t forget Gov. Kelly vetoed a bill increasing penalties for killing or injuring police dogs out of pure political spite.”
Others shared Kelly’s concerns about the implications of the bill’s heightened punishments.
Because people who harm or kill these animals under the law are now responsible for restitution to the law enforcement agency — paying for the injured animal’s medical treatment, as well as funeral expenses if the animal dies, and the cost of replacing and training a new animal — expenses can be thousands of dollars, adding an additional burden to the jail time and fine.
Rep. Ford Carr, D-Wichita, mentioned the historical use of police dogs to harm people fighting for equality during the Civil Rights movement in previous bill debate.
“We should trust the police, but oftentimes we can’t, and that’s an issue,” Carr said during Monday’s House veto override debate.
Rep. Timothy Johnson, R-Basehor, who worked for decades in law enforcement and had experience with police dog training, pushed back on Carr’s claims. Johnson said the dogs were highly trained for all circumstances.
“They are not used as bite dogs. That is not their focus,” Johnson said. “… They become your family. I had one of the most wonderful German Shepherds in my entire life experience. We literally had a family funeral when he passed away. That animal would obey every and any command. I could walk in a schoolhouse among children and you would never know. Please, do not equate things that happened in the 1960s, in the ‘50s, with the way training is done now. It’s not allowed.”
Owens brought up the circumstance of Bane’s death in his defense of the bill, emphasizing K-9 officers’ role in protecting officers.
“That defendant brutally kicked that dog and caused significant internal damage to the point it was so weak that that individual was able to strangle that dog to death,” Owens said. “I want you to think if we had sent a law enforcement officer down there, how that might have played out.”
The Kansas City Chiefs are three weeks away from making their first of two first-round selections in the 2026 NFL Draft. With the No. 9 overall selection, general manager Brett Veach and head coach Andy Reid are in a terrific spot to acquire ample talent early in the draft to increase their hopes of reaching the postseason.
As collegiate Pro Day begins to ramp down, I thought it would be a great time to share a brand-new mock draft for the Chiefs. This time, I’m designating it as a “what would I do” mock draft to showcase how I would approach each selection in the first four rounds of the draft for Kansas City. Let’s make the armchair general manager’s dream come true.
Round 1, No. 9 overall: Caleb Downs, safety, Ohio State
This is as simple as it gets for me: when the best player in the entire draft class is available for the taking, it should be a no-brainer every time. Rueben Bain Jr. and Carnell Tate were on the board here, but it was hard to ignore the gifted, transcendent talent that is Caleb Downs, who can play any role on the back seven with rare football intelligence and instincts to pair with elite athleticism. Downs makes the entire Chiefs defense better, regardless of the positional value.
Round 1, No. 29 overall (via Los Angeles Rams): Malachi Lawrence, edge rusher, UCF Knights
I argued recently that Malachi Lawrence is the man to potentially help the Chiefs with their biggest roster hole. He has the build, length, and athleticism to pair with a high-upside pass-rush bag that is arguably the best amongst all edge rushers in the NFL Draft, and has the frame to be a stout run defender down the road. This isn’t another Felix Anudike-Uzomah, as Lawrence knows how to win off the edge despite a lack of bend and the need for a better plan of attack.
Round 2, No. 40 overall: Antonio Williams, wide receiver, Clemson Tigers
For the past few weeks, I have been screaming at the top of my lungs that Williams is a Kansas City Chief. He fits exactly what the Chiefs are looking for at wide receiver without fully compromising the past requisite traits for being a potential wideout within Reid’s offense, which has been speed and more speed.
Williams is a standout route-runner with terrific nuance, paired with excellent hands and quality run-after-catch skills to make him a go-to playmaker for quarterbacks Patrick Mahomes and Justin Fields.
Round 3, No. 74 overall: Will Lee III, cornerback, Texas A&M Aggies
The cornerback room in Kansas City is less-than-ideal, with Kristian Fulton, Nohl Williams, and Kader Kohou as the top defenders at the position. There is a lot of hope for Williams, but I would love to see him paired with another fun press-man defender who could hear his name called within the first 100 selections. Lee fits the Chiefs defensive requisites at cornerback to a tee and would see the field often as a rookie.
Round 4, No. 109 overall: Travis Burke, offensive tackle, Memphis Tigers
Another player I have discussed for the Chiefs as a potential later-round target is Burke, a monster at right tackle who is listed at 6-foot-8, 325 pounds with an 83-inch wingspan. I want to see a mountain on the right side of the Chiefs’ offensive line alongside Trey Smith, and Burke is no major developmental talent either. He is a sneaky tackle prospect with impressive movement skills and leg drive for his size.
KSHB 41 reporter Lily O’Shea Becker covers Franklin and Douglas counties in Kansas. Share your story idea with Lily.
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In both Missouri and Kansas, efforts to prepare for possible human trafficking during World Cup events are ramping up.
World Cup spurs human trafficking awareness trainings in Missouri, Kansas
Several studies affiliated with universities across the country say there’s little to no evidence that directly links large sporting events to an increase in human trafficking, including sex trafficking.
Missouri Attorney General Catherine Hanaway sent the following statement to KSHB 41 News:
“Human and sex trafficking can only be addressed through strong partnerships and collaborative actions. Our Office is proud to have sponsored a free training ahead of the World Cup to equip and learn from those who are the tip of the spear in the fight against modern-day slavery.
“It is my job to safeguard Missourians. Our Office is committed to this task and will continue to partner with local law enforcement and agencies to hold predators accountable.”
The Sexual Trauma and Abuse CARE Center in Lawrence is seeing an increased interest in its services leading up to the World Cup, according to Christina Gentry, the center’s director of community engagement.
The Algerian men’s national team will use Rock Chalk Park in Lawrence as its base camp for the 2026 World Cup, and the city is expecting an influx of visitors while Kansas City hosts six matches this summer.
The CARE Center recently hosted a free human trafficking awareness training for hospitality businesses across Lawrence.
“Hotels and the local bars have always been a part of our outreach, but this particular time of year, we’ll be hosting our World Cup, so we wanted to make sure there will be some trafficking training,” Gentry said.
Lily O’Shea Becker/KSHB
Heather Shull, general manager for DoubleTree by Hilton on the north side of Lawrence, said she’s seen some bookings filled during the World Cup. She’s hoping more will be booked in the next couple of weeks.
“We’re gearing up to know that we’re going to have a lot more business,” Shull said.
Shull attended the CARE Center’s human trafficking training.
“Our business is hospitality; we’re supposed to take care of people,” she said.
Staff at the bar located inside the hotel have already undergone sexual violence prevention training with the CARE Center.
A Lawrence ordinance requires bar staff who regularly engage with patrons to attend such training sessions in order for the bar to obtain a liquor license. The ordinance was passed in 2020, and the CARE Center provides the bystander intervention training twice a month.
“It was very fascinating and very helpful,” Shull said.
Lily O’Shea Becker/KSHB
Shull says Hilton requires its employees to attend human trafficking training.
“It doesn’t say you have to solve human trafficking, but it’s like, ‘Hey, here are the signs you might see, and you know, go to a manager or law enforcement if you’re concerned,’” she said. “But then now for the World Cup, there’s been a lot more city-wide trainings.”
She said while most human trafficking actions can happen behind closed doors at hotels, there are certain things staff can pick up on at check-in or through requests visitors have for their rooms.
The spokesperson for the Lawrence, Kansas, Police Department says all of its officers will attend a human trafficking-related training in May. The department is partnering with the Justice Project in Kansas City for the training.
For Gentry, she said it’s important community members understand the CARE center’s supportive services — like its 24/7 support line — are available year-round.
This month, the CARE Center is focused on Sexual Assault Awareness Month.
Lily O’Shea Becker/KSHB
The CARE Center tied teal ribbons around trees lined along Massachusetts Street in South Park to launch the awareness month and has events planned throughout April to bring attention to the cause.
The teal ribbons in South Park include a QR code that contains information about Sexual Assault Awareness Month when scanned.
“Teal just represents an opportunity to unite the community on this issue,” Gentry said.
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SPRINGFIELD, Mo. (KY3) – MoDOT reopened the westbound lanes of I-44 in Springfield around 9 a.m. after a deadly pedestrian crash on Thursday.
Police say a pedestrian was hit and killed on I-44 near the Kansas Expressway exit around 5 a.m. Police have not identified the victim.
Emergency officials closed the interstate for about three hours. Crews exited traffic off the Kansas Expressway and the West Bypass.
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Copyright 2026 KY3. All rights reserved.
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