Online petitions call for harsher punishment for people who kill K9s

Eight K9s have been killed in the line of duty this year nationwide. According to the "Officer Down" memorial page, five were killed in all of 2015.

Online petitions are calling for harsher punishments for people who kill K9s. Petitioners want something more than a third-degree felony charge.

Former Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office Lt. JJ Thurne agrees. Seventeen years ago, Thune said he lost a part of his family.

“A third-degree felony, it’s like a worthless check,” Thurne said.

Thurne’s K9, Quanto, was the first JSO K9 killed in the line of duty.

It happened after Gary Neil, who is now serving a life sentence, escaped from the Duval County Jail.

“He come around and he fired and he shot me and he also shot the dog,” Thurne said.

Thurne fought back tears as he remembered having to break the news to his family. It was a loss that has never been replaced.

He said Quanto without a doubt saved his life.

“I would deploy my dog even though as close as he is to me, he’s there to save lives and that's what he did,” Thurne said.

Thurne said in the two years that Quanto was with JSO, he made over 400 arrests.

Cox Media Group