[Njagdu] [Fwd: [nagdu] Pennsylvania - Guide dog attack bill clears Senate]

[Tracy Carcione]

I thought people might be interested in what's happening in Pennsylvania
for guide dog protection.
The person in Erie whose dogs were attacked has really been working hard
to get this bill passed, and it's finally paying off.
Tracy

---------------------------- Original Message ----------------------------
Subject: [nagdu] Pennsylvania - Guide dog attack bill clears Senate
From:    "Ginger Kutsch" <GingerKutsch at yahoo.com>
Date:    Sun, May 27, 2012 2:33 pm
To:      "NAGDU Mailing List, the National Association of Guide Dog Users"
<nagdu at nfbnet.org>
--------------------------------------------------------------------------

Pennsylvania - Guide dog attack bill clears Senate

Friday, May 2

http://www.philly.com/philly/blogs/pets/154049475.html



After 15 years, it looks like legislation to protect service dogs from
attack by other dogs will soon be heading for a governor's signature.

The bill (HB 165) would hold the owner of a dog that attacks a service dog
criminally liable and impose a fine of up to $15,000. It passed the state
Senate 39 - 10 earlier this week and now goes back to the House for a vote
on concurrence on June 4.

You'd be surprised at how often these attacks happen and how costly -
emotionally and financially - they can be. Two dogs belonging to an Erie
woman were attacked over a multi-year span by free-roaming neighbor dogs who
entered her yard.

"There are a number of these attacks across the Commonwealth," said bill
supporter Sen. John Eichelberger (R., Blair).  "The attacks take away a
person's ability to function in society."

The bill cleared the House, 194-4, but suddenly stalled in the Senate
earlier this month after an amendment stripping out the criminal penalties
was added leaving only the civil penalty that may not be collected.

During floor debate on Tuesday Eichelberger and Sen. Anthony Williams (D.,
Phila.) argued vigorously for the tougher bill.

Opponent Sen. Mary Jo White (R., Venango) said she did not think an owner
should be criminally penalized for their dog's bad behavior.



"I think to make someone a criminal for attacks of a dog is wrong," she
said.



Williams strongly disagreed, saying there are people who knowingly turn
their dangerous dogs out on the street endangering innocent people and pets.
"Civil penalties are not enough," said Williams. "This sends a message that
we love animals and want to protect people who reside with animals."

In addition to Sen. Mary Jo White, those voting "no" on the bill were Sens.
Don White (R., Armstrong) , Michael Brubaker (R., Lancaster), Pat Vance (R.,
Cumberland), Jim Ferlo (D., Allegheny), Joe Scarnati (R., Jefferson) Jeff
Piccola (R., Dauphin), Lloyd Smucker (R., Lancaster), Jane Earll (R., Erie)
Lisa Baker (R., Luzerne).



The bill's lead sponsor, Rep. John Evans (R. Erie), said the final
compromise was acceptable. He said he can live with the charge being
downgraded - at the judge's discretion - from a second to a third-degree
misdemeanor. (By contrast, in Florida a dog attack on a service dog is a
felony offense.)

Evans said he was pleased the fine was tripled from $5,000 to $15,000. "That
will help pay for the cost of vet care or a replacement dog," said Evans,
noting that training for a service dog can reach $50,000.

Evans says he is optimistic that Gov. Corbett will support the bill and he
hopes to bring two of the canine victims of attacks, and their human
handlers, to the bill signing.





Posted by Amy Worden @ 8:52 AM  Permalink | 1 comment









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