Gov. Andrew Cuomo signed legislation Wednesday known as "Ape's Law," in honor of the German Shepard killed in the line of duty during a stand off in Herkimer.

The law increases penalties for the killing of a police animal to a felony. Currently, the penalty is a Class A misdemeanor. The new law goes into effect Nov. 1.

Cuomo also signed into law a bill that allows police departments to waive the requirement that police dog be confined for 10 days after a biting incident while on duty. That law takes effect immediately, and allows police departments to ask for a waiver from a local health department.

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