[nagdu] From GDB: Good News for guide dog handlers in California

[Larry D Keeler]

I never even heard of a service dog attacking! Interesting!
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Aaron Cannon via nagdu" <nagdu at nfbnet.org>
To: "Criminal Justice Major Extraordinaire" <orleans24 at comcast.net>; "NAGDU 
Mailing List,the National Association of Guide Dog Users" <nagdu at nfbnet.org>
Sent: Friday, October 03, 2014 10:30 PM
Subject: Re: [nagdu] From GDB: Good News for guide dog handlers in 
California


> Thanks for passing along the info.  I think, however, the person who
> wrote this should reach out to NAGDU next time for help in writing
> their press releases.
>
> "This bill makes victims of guide, signal or service dog attacks
> eligible for compensation for their injuries under the Victims
> Compensation Fund."
>
> I didn't realize that there were many people suffering attacks from
> guide, signal or service dogs.
>
> Hopefully the law is written more clearly.
>
> Aaron
>
> On 10/2/14, Criminal Justice Major Extraordinaire via nagdu
> <nagdu at nfbnet.org> wrote:
>> Hi, all,
>> Just saw this on another guide dog related list and figured to pass 
>> along.
>> Bibi and MAR son Odie
>> orleans24 at comcast.net
>> Sent: Wednesday, October 01, 2014 5:07 PM
>> Subject: From GDB: Good News for guide dog handlers in California
>> FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Contact: Michael Miiller
>> September 26, 2014
>> (916) 319-2010 or (916) 204-0485
>>  Michael.miiller at asm.ca.gov
>> Assemblymember Levine’s Guide Dogs Legislation Signed Into Law
>> Governor Brown Signs Assembly Bill 2264
>> Last weekend, Governor 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.
>> # # #
>> Assemblymember Levine represents the 10th Assembly District, which 
>> includes
>> Marin County and southern Sonoma County.
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>
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