Following violent incidents in Los Angeles and other cities targeting ICE officers – including assaults on K9s and mounted units – Rep. Aaron Bean introduced legislation to strengthen penalties for those who harm law enforcement animals and their handlers.

The news comes after the Department of Homeland Security released new data showing immigration officers collectively are experiencing a 690% increase in assaults against them, as such data tacitly includes animal officers.

«Our police dogs and horses serve on the front lines, protecting officers and communities alike,» Bean, R-Fla., who chairs the DOGE caucus, told Fox News Digital on Wednesday.

«They deserve real protection, not just praise – and the ‘Leo K9 Protection Act’ will deliver tougher penalties against those who harm these heroic animals in the line of duty.»

DOGE MEETS CONGRESS: GOP LAWMAKER LAUNCHES CAUCUS TO HELP MUSK TAKE ON ‘CRAZYTOWN’

The bill, announced late Tuesday at a ceremony outside the Capitol, implements sentences as high as 15 years – and is named for Marion County, Florida, Sheriff’s Deputy K9 Leo, who was killed in the line of duty.

In February, Leo and his handler responded to a report of battery-by-strangulation at a home in Silver Springs, outside Ocala. 

When Leo charged the armed suspect, he was shot and died days later. The suspect was killed by return fire from human officers.

«Leo did exactly what he was trained to do, and that is to fearlessly defend and protect those deputies – to charge directly at danger,» Marion County Sheriff Billy Woods told the Ocala News at the time.

Leo’s handler, Sgt. Justin Tortora, joined Bean and others on Tuesday, calling the K9 «more than a partner – he was family.»

«By supporting this bill, we can guarantee that federal working K9s receive the urgent care they deserve and help prevent more handlers from experiencing the heartbreak of losing their partners in the line of duty,» Tortora told Fox News Digital.

TRUMP SALUTES ‘FEARLESS’ MILITARY, POLICE DOGS ON K-9 VETERANS DAY: ‘CANINE COURAGE’

Marion County, Florida, K9 Leo is remembered. (Office of Rep. Aaron Bean)

Bean’s bill expands federal statutes protecting human officers to apply to local, state or federal police animals assisting federal agencies. It also directs the Department of Transportation to give a «safe harbor» exception to people rushing injured police animals for veterinary care.

During violent anti-ICE riots in California, at least two suspects were arrested for assaults on non-human police officers.

Dana Whitson of Oro Valley, Arizona, was charged in Los Angeles on several felony counts, including assault upon a peace officer and animal cruelty, after he allegedly assaulted a police horse.

Whitson allegedly shoved the horse and struck its muzzle in June, according to local reports.

Another man, Iran Castro of El Monte, California, was similarly charged for allegedly yanking the reins of police horses after police had given an order for the protesters to disperse, according to Los Angeles’ NBC affiliate.

Rep. Aaron Bean addresses K9 officers at the Capitol. (Office of Rep. Aaron Bean)

Debbie Johnson, founder of K9s United, which supports and advocates for police animals, celebrated the bill, calling its introduction a «defining moment in the fight to protect federal working K9s who defend our nation every day.»

«[This] is the result of years of tireless advocacy and we are proud to carry this mission forward. We are deeply grateful to Congressman Bean for standing with us to honor and protect our nation’s four-legged heroes,» she said.

En una opinión consultiva que puede influir en la jurisprudencia global, la Corte Internacional de Justicia (CIJ) dictaminó este miércoles que los Estados que violen sus obligaciones climáticas cometen un acto “ilícito” y pueden estar obligados a pagar indemnizaciones a los países más afectados por el calentamiento global.

El dictamen de la más alta instancia judicial de la ONU sobre las obligaciones legales de los países para frenar los efectos del cambio climático y la responsabilidad económica, generó una gran expectativa. Muchos expertos creen que la opinión de los magistrados puede marcar un punto de inflexión para litigios en todo el mundo.

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“Las consecuencias del cambio climático son graves y tienen un gran alcance: afectan tanto a los ecosistemas naturales como a las poblaciones humanas. Estas consecuencias ponen en relieve la amenaza urgente y existencial que supone el cambio climático”, declaró el presidente del tribunal, Yuji Iwasawa, al inicio de la audiencia en La Haya.

Cuáles son las conclusiones del fallo

El tribunal concluyó por unanimidad que la “violación” de las obligaciones climáticas por parte de un Estado constituye “un acto internacional ilícito”, susceptible de dar lugar a indemnizaciones a los países afectados, en determinadas condiciones y según cada caso.

“Las consecuencias jurídicas derivadas de la comisión de un acto internacional ilícito pueden incluir (…) la reparación íntegra del perjuicio sufrido por los Estados lesionados en forma de restitución, indemnización y satisfacción”, declaró el juez Iwasawa.

Sin embargo, los magistrados agregaron que debe establecerse una relación causal directa y cierta “entre el acto ilícito y el perjuicio”, lo cual, aunque difícil de demostrar ante un tribunal, “no es imposible”.

Este dictamen de 140 páginas es de carácter consultivo y no vinculante, pero al ser emitido por la máxima autoridad judicial de la ONU, establecerá una interpretación jurídica sólida para guiar futuras acciones o decisiones judiciales de todo el mundo, en términos de justicia climática.

“Un hito histórico para el clima”

El ministro de Cambio Climático de Vanuatu, Ralph Regenvanu, afirmó que esta decisión es “un hito histórico para el clima”.

“Es un cambio de rumbo muy importante en este momento tan crítico”, afirmó el ministro de este Estado insular, donde la movilización de activistas llegó hasta la Asamblea General de la ONU, que pidió a los 15 jueces del tribunal que se pronunciaran con respecto a dos preguntas:

1. ¿Qué obligaciones tienen los Estados, en virtud del derecho internacional, de proteger la Tierra de las emisiones de gases de efecto invernadero generadas por la combustión de petróleo, gas y carbón para las generaciones presentes y futuras?
2. ¿Cuáles son las consecuencias jurídicas de estas obligaciones cuando los Estados, por sus actos y omisiones, han causado daños significativos al sistema climático, en particular a los Estados insulares vulnerables de baja altitud?

La segunda pregunta se refiere a las responsabilidades de los Estados por los daños causados a países pequeños y más vulnerables y a sus poblaciones, en particular los amenazados por la subida del nivel del mar y las condiciones meteorológicas extremas en regiones como el océano Pacífico.

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“Con respecto a la obligación de prevenir daños significativos al medio ambiente, el Tribunal considera que también se aplica al sistema climático, que forma parte integrante y es un componente esencial del medio ambiente y que debe protegerse para las generaciones actuales y futuras”, afirmó el juez Iwasawa.

El magistrado agregó que “los efectos adversos del cambio climático podrían perjudicar significativamente el disfrute efectivo de ciertos derechos humanos, como el derecho a la salud”.

Una lucha entre países poderosos vs. naciones en desarrollo

Durante sus audiencias, en diciembre, el tribunal escuchó más de cien alegatos, un récord. Muchos procedían de Estados pequeños que comparecían ante el tribunal por primera vez.

Como si fueran David contra Goliat, el debate enfrentó a los pequeños países en desarrollo contra las economías avanzadas.

Los grandes países contaminantes, como Estados Unidos e India, argumentaron que el arsenal jurídico existente -la Convención Marco de Naciones Unidas sobre el Cambio Climático (CMNUCC) y las COP anuales- era suficiente. Sin embargo, Estados Unidos, bajo la presidencia de Donald Trump, retiró su financiación de la CMNUCC y se desentendió de su pacto histórico, el Acuerdo Climático de París.

Los pequeños países reclaman a los contaminadores históricos que paguen compensaciones, una demanda inaceptable para los países más industrializados. También exigen un calendario para la eliminación de los combustibles fósiles y el reconocimiento de los errores del pasado.

(Con información de AFP)

Welcome to the Fox News Politics newsletter, with the latest updates on the Trump administration, Capitol Hill and more Fox News politics content. Here’s what’s happening…

– Coast Guard overhaul takes off amid Trump administration’s immigration, narcotics crackdown

– ‘Big beautiful bill’ tax cuts touted in ad blitz as Senate GOP gears up for midterms

– NYC council member sounds alarm over Mamdani voters falling for ‘pipe dream’

Brennan directed publication of ‘implausible’ reports claiming Putin preferred Trump in 2016, House found

FIRST ON FOX: The intelligence community did not have any direct information that Russian President Vladimir Putin wanted to help elect Donald Trump during the 2016 presidential election, but, at the «unusual» direction of then-President Barack Obama, published «potentially biased» or «implausible» intelligence suggesting otherwise, the House Intelligence Committee found.

Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard declassified a report prepared by the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence back in 2020… READ MORE.

White House

WAR OF WORDS: Trump border czar Tom Homan slams ‘former first drug addict’ Hunter Biden over inflammatory immigration rant

HIDDEN HANDS: 7 details revealed in newly released MLK files

‘INSTRUMENTAL’: Coast Guard overhaul takes off amid Trump administration’s immigration, narcotics crackdown

World Stage

ALGORITHM OF WAR: AI arms race: US and China weaponize drones, code and biotech for the next great war

POWER PLAY POLITICS: How China ‘weaponized’ the battery supply chain to control over 80% of the materials needed for batteries in defense tech

HUNGER ON THE FRONT: News agency says its Gaza journalists suffering health woes as union warns they will die without intervention

An airstrike hits a building in the Al-Nasr neighborhood in Gaza City, Gaza on July 21, 2025.  (Saeed M. M. T. Jaras/Anadolu via Getty Images)

BACKSTABBING ALLIES: Huckabee hits back at Western countries that ‘side’ with terror group Hamas

REAL ‘WONDER WOMAN’: ‘Wonder Woman’ actress Gal Gadot praises ‘strength’ of freed Hamas hostages during emotional visit

PRICE WAR SHOWDOWN: Trump says he may use trade to force countries, pharma companies to buy into his most favored nation provision

POWER GRAB BACKLASH: Ukraine sees sweeping protests over bill weakening anti-corruption agencies

Capitol Hill

‘QUIET PART OUT LOUD’: Immigrants needed for ‘redistricting purposes,’ House Dem admits in viral clip: ‘Quiet part out loud’

PASSING GRADE: Senate weathers Dem opposition, advances first government funding bill

CASHFLOW: WATCH: Lawmakers break down how billions in the ‘big, beautiful bill’ boost Trump’s immigration crackdown

JUDICIAL SHOWDOWN: Senate votes to consider former Trump lawyer for lifetime as appeals court judge

Emil Bove, President Donald Trump’s nominee to be U.S. Circuit Judge for the Third Circuit, is sworn in before testifying during his Senate Judiciary Committee nomination hearing in the Hart Senate Office Building on June 25, 2025 in Washington, DC. A whistleblower alleged that Bove, President Trump’s former personal lawyer, told Justice Department staff to defy court orders and continue to carry out Trump’s deportation plans. (Photo by Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images)

‘POTENTIALLY BIASED’: Brennan directed publication of ‘implausible’ reports claiming Putin preferred Trump in 2016, House found

STAYING PUT: After meeting with Trump, Republican in key House battleground announces major decision on ‘Fox and Friends’

MISSION ACCOMPLISHED: ‘Big beautiful bill’ tax cuts touted in ad blitz as Senate GOP gears up for midterms

‘KEEP SHOOTING, DAD’: Grieving mom testifies about Marine vet son’s death at hands of violent illegal aliens

Across America 

LEGAL LEGEND LOST: Roy Black, famed defense attorney for Rush Limbaugh and Jeffrey Epstein, dies after illustrious career

COURT ORDER: New Jersey’s ban on privately operated ICE detention centers struck down by court

CRACKING DOWN: Trump’s immigration enforcement push results in skyrocketing arrests of criminal illegal aliens

‘PROHIBITS SPEECH’: Federal judge partially blocks law banning adults from helping minors get out-of-state abortions

Tennessee Attorney General Jonathan Skrmetti leaves a press conference discussing the U.S. Supreme Court’s 6-3 decision that upheld Tennessee’s ban on gender transition treatments for transgender minors at the Tennessee Capitol in Nashville, Tenn., Wednesday, June 18, 2025. (The Tennessean )

STEALTH AGENDA: WATCH: DEI efforts were rebranded at 2 red-state colleges to skirt Trump orders, staffers admit

‘CULTURE OF SHAME’: NYC council member sounds alarm over Mamdani voters falling for ‘pipe dream’

‘DEADLY FORCE’: ICE chief warns AI technology could lead to safety risks for agents: ‘Fringe organizations’

Get the latest updates on the Trump administration and Congress, exclusive interviews and more on FoxNews.com.