[nagdu] PA Evans'Bill to Help Protect Service Animals Receives House Endorsement

[Passle Helminski]

>>
>>>Please cross post.
>>
>>Thank you,
>>
>>Passle
>>
>>>FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: March 8, 2011
>>>
>>>Evans' Bill to Help Protect Service Animals Receives House Endorsement
>>>
>>>HARRISBURG, PA - Legislation that will help protect service 
>>>animals from attacks by other animals has won the endorsement of 
>>>the Pennsylvania House of Representatives, said Rep. John Evans 
>>>(R-Erie/Crawford), author of the measure.
>>>
>>>"Service animals, in particular, are trained not to fight back in 
>>>an attack with another animal, and as a result, can suffer even 
>>>greater injuries," said Evans, who has been working to obtain 
>>>legislative approval for this bill for the past three sessions.
>>>
>>>Specifically, House Bill 165 would set criminal and civil 
>>>penalties on individuals who own or co-own a dog that kills, maims 
>>>or disfigures the guide dog of an individual who is blind, a 
>>>hearing dog of an individual who is deaf or audibly impaired, or a 
>>>service dog of an individual who is physically limited.
>>>
>>>If found to be in violation, the offender would face a 
>>>first-degree misdemeanor and face up to $1,000 and/or jail time of 
>>>up to two years. In addition to any other fine or penalty, a 
>>>person convicted under this new law would be required to make 
>>>reparations for veterinary costs in treating the guide, hearing or 
>>>service dog and, if necessary, the cost of a replacement dog.
>>>
>>>"These service animals reflect a significant investment of the 
>>>time, training and expense of their owners," Evans said. "For 
>>>owners of dogs that are prone to attack to recklessly and 
>>>willfully allow their animals to seriously injure a service dog 
>>>and then to escape civil and criminal liability is unfair. Our 
>>>laws must address this type of irresponsible behavior on the part 
>>>of these pet owners."
>>>
>>>Evans pointed out that his legislation is not designed to punish 
>>>responsible pet owners, but to add teeth to state law so that 
>>>owners who purposely allow their dogs to run loose will be more 
>>>accountable for their dog's actions.
>>>
>>>The legislation now heads to the state Senate for consideration.