New Law Protects Service Dogs When Attacked

From a press release:

Last weekend, Gov. Edmund G. Brown, Jr. signed into law AB 2264 by Assemblymember Marc Levine, D-San Rafael.

This bill makes victims of guide, signal or service dog attacks eligible for compensation for their injuries under the Victims Compensation Fund.

“This bill protects assistance dogs that make independence possible for thousands of Californians who live with disabilities,” said Levine. “Guide, signal and service dogs are highly trained animals. AB 2264 ensures that in the terrible case that these dogs suffer an attack, their owners will be compensated for their injuries.”

Theresa Stern, director of outreach and alumni services at Guide Dogs for the Blind said, “A guide dog serves as the eyes of its handler and when the dog is injured it is akin to having one’s own body compromised.”

Having suffered through an attack of her own guide dog, Stern says ,“As a blind person I rely on my guide dog to live an independent and productive life. In instances where the handler of the attacking dog is not able to compensate the victim for medical costs it is crucial that the victim have access to funding for such purposes.”

Under current law, it is a criminal offense to cause injury, whether intentional or unintentional, to a guide, signal or service dog. Furthermore, those convicted of violating this law are held accountable by owing restitution to the victim for the harm caused.

However, if the individual is financially unable to provide immediate compensation, the victim can face significant of out-of-pocket veterinary bills. By providing reimbursement through the Victims Compensation Fund, this bill ensures that victims of these attacks can access medical care for their assistance dog.

AB 2264 was supported by Guide Dogs for the Blind, Canine Companions and Crime Victims United.

PHOTO Patch file photo.