[Nfbc-info] AB 169 support from Guide Dogs for the Blind

Sat Feb 16 22:52:45 UTC 2019

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Shannon Dillon <shannonldillon at gmail.com>
Date: Sat, 16 Feb 2019 14:46:29 -0800
Subject: Fwd: [Cagdu] FYI FW: GDB Announcements - GDB Supports CA AB 169
To: shannonldillon at gmail.com

From: Theresa Stern <tstern at guidedogs.com>
Sent: Thursday, February 14, 2019 11:01 AM
Subject: GDB Announcements - GDB Supports CA AB 169

Greetings California GDB Alumni and Puppy Raisers,

We want to make you aware of bill AB 169.  GDB strongly supports this
legislation and we invite you to share your thoughts with legislators as
well.  Below you will find some info about the bill followed by the letter
we are submitting.  If you choose to weigh in on this bill please know that
letters must be received by Feb. 19, 2019. Letters must be signed and either
faxed or sent, no emails will be allowed.  There will be a hearing regarding
the bill on Feb 26 from 10:00AM - Noon at the Capitol in Room #126, if you
would like to join me in Sacramento, please let me know.

Background and Current Law

Currently in California, it is a crime for any person to cause injury or
death to any guide, signal, or service dog, while the guide, signal, or
service dog is in active service. California showed its support for the
disabled community when the Legislature adopted this law, however, this does
not protect service animals in every respect.

The Problem

The protections stated do not extend to service dogs in training, nor do
they apply to those not actively fulfilling their duties as a service
animal. If an off-duty animal is harmed or killed, the owner is often left
without the help of their service dog. Without the aid of service animals,
the independence of the owners is put on hold. Members of the disabled
community are likely to miss work, get injured, or be unable to complete
everyday tasks while trying to get through without their service animal.

This legislation will enable victims to receive restitution for any lost
wages or medical expenses incurred while they are without the service of
their guide, signal, or service dog.

What will this bill specifically do?

AB 169 will delete the requirement that specified crimes, such as causing
injury or death, against guide, signal, or service dogs must occur while the
dog is in discharge of its duties and would make these crimes applicable to
the injury or death of dogs that are enrolled in a training school or
program for guide, signal, or service dogs, or to dogs that are currently
off-duty.

This bill will also require restitution to the victim with a disability for
medical expenses and loss of wages incurred as a result of injury or death
to his or her service dog. It would also change the definition of
"replacement costs" for which restitution may be claimed under existing law,
to include: the training costs for a new dog, the cost of keeping the
now-disabled dog in a kennel while the handler travels to receive a new dog,
and the cost of the travel required for the handler to receive a new dog,
each of these as needed.

Sponsor

California Council of the Blind

Golden State Guide Dog Handlers

Support

National Federation of the Blind of California

Canine Companions for Independence

ASPCA

Child and Family Center

Guide Dog Users Inc.

Independent Living Center of Kern County

Who is the staff contact for this bill?

Hallie Balch

(916) 319-2036

 <mailto:hallie.balch at asm.ca.gov> hallie.balch at asm.ca.gov

Letters should be addressed to Assemblyman Tom Lackey and can be sent to:

Fax: 919-319-2136

Scan:  <mailto:Hallie.balch at asm.ca.gov> Hallie.balch at asm.ca.gov

Physical Copy: 1303 10th St. Sacramento, CA 95814

And, here is GDB's letter:

Assemblyman Tom Lackey, 36th District

1303 10Th Street

State Capitol, Room 2174

Sacramento, CA 95814

Re: Support AB 169

Dear Assemblyman Lackey,

As the largest guide dog training program in North America, with
headquarters in San Rafael California, Guide Dogs for the Blind (GDB)
greatly appreciates your sponsorship of Assembly Bill 169 as a means of
enhancing protections governing dog attacks against guide, signal, and
service dogs.

Since 1942 GDB has produced and supported thousands of working guide dog
teams; currently we have over 500 working teams and over 400 puppies in
training in California alone. Dog attacks on service dogs can be devastating
and can lead ultimately to the dissolution of the team, resulting in the
loss of highly valuable resources, as well as the great emotional toll on
the guide dog handler or puppy raiser/trainer. The resources required to
breed, train and support our teams are vast, and the loss of one's guide can
mean the loss of one's independence.

Under existing law, it is an infraction or a misdemeanor for any person to
permit any dog which is owned, harbored, or controlled by him or her to
cause injury to or death of any guide, signal, or service dog while the
guide, signal, or service dog is in discharge of its duties, or actively
providing service. However, these attacks often occur while the dog is not
engaged in these duties. Under these circumstances, it is very difficult for
guide, signal, or service dog handlers to recover potential costs incurred
because of these attacks, such as medical expenses or loss of wages.

This bill will expand the provisions which provide protection for guide,
signal, or service dogs by eliminating the requirement that the guide,
signal, or service dog be in discharge of its duties. And also affords
protection to dogs who are actively enrolled in a service dog training
program.

Your support and sponsorship of this important legislation is appreciated as
it will extend protections for communities that are often ignored. Please
accept this letter as support for AB 169.

Respectfully,

Christine Benninger

President and CEO

Guide Dogs for the Blind

 <http://www.guidedogs.com/>

Guide Dogs for the Blind

Theresa Stern | VP Outreach, Admissions, and Alumni Services

tstern at guidedogs.com  <mailto:tstern at guidedogs.com%20>  | 415 492-4717
350 Los Ranchitos Road, San Rafael, CA 94903
 <http://www.guidedogs.com/> GuideDogs.com

-- 
SHANNON L. DILLON
Secretary and Legislative Coordinator
National Federation of the Blind
of California
The National Federation of the Blind is a community of members and
friends who believe in the hopes and dreams of the nation’s blind.
Every day we work together to help blind people live the lives they
want.
www.nfbcal.org

-- 
SHANNON L. DILLON
Secretary and Legislative Coordinator
National Federation of the Blind
of California
The National Federation of the Blind is a community of members and
friends who believe in the hopes and dreams of the nation’s blind.
Every day we work together to help blind people live the lives they
want.
www.nfbcal.org