A proposal that would force anyone convicted of killing or permanently disabling a police dog to pay the cost of replacing the animal has passed the Indiana Senate.

The bill is similar to one that the House unanimously backed last month.

Current law makes it a felony punishable by up to three years in prison to kill or badly injure a police dog.

Judges have the option of whether to order the offender to pay for another police dog.

Police departments can spend up to $12,000 to buy and train a dog.