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<DIV><FONT size=4>Tracy</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=4></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=4>Great article and thanks for passing it along....I think the
sharing of these articles is great and important....reading what the opinions I
think is also important....it helps to understand why passing of such bills is
difficult....this may be the problem in New Jersey with the Democrats sponsoring
and co-sponsoring....there may be these arguments due to support of loosing
votes....</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=4></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=4>Kathy Rawa and Dorito</FONT></DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>
<DIV>In a message dated 5/28/2012 9:21:21 A.M. Eastern Daylight Time,
carcione@access.net writes:</DIV>
<BLOCKQUOTE
style="BORDER-LEFT: blue 2px solid; PADDING-LEFT: 5px; MARGIN-LEFT: 5px"><FONT
style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" color=#000000 size=2 face=Arial>I
thought people might be interested in what's happening in Pennsylvania<BR>for
guide dog protection.<BR>The person in Erie whose dogs were attacked has
really been working hard<BR>to get this bill passed, and it's finally paying
off.<BR>Tracy<BR><BR>---------------------------- Original Message
----------------------------<BR>Subject: [nagdu] Pennsylvania - Guide dog
attack bill clears Senate<BR>From: "Ginger Kutsch"
<GingerKutsch@yahoo.com><BR>Date: Sun, May 27, 2012 2:33
pm<BR>To: "NAGDU Mailing List, the National Association of
Guide Dog
Users"<BR><nagdu@nfbnet.org><BR>--------------------------------------------------------------------------<BR><BR>Pennsylvania
- Guide dog attack bill clears Senate<BR><BR>Friday, May
2<BR><BR>http://www.philly.com/philly/blogs/pets/154049475.html<BR><BR><BR><BR>After
15 years, it looks like legislation to protect service dogs from<BR>attack by
other dogs will soon be heading for a governor's signature.<BR><BR>The bill
(HB 165) would hold the owner of a dog that attacks a service
dog<BR>criminally liable and impose a fine of up to $15,000. It passed the
state<BR>Senate 39 - 10 earlier this week and now goes back to the House for a
vote<BR>on concurrence on June 4.<BR><BR>You'd be surprised at how often these
attacks happen and how costly -<BR>emotionally and financially - they can be.
Two dogs belonging to an Erie<BR>woman were attacked over a multi-year span by
free-roaming neighbor dogs who<BR>entered her yard.<BR><BR>"There are a number
of these attacks across the Commonwealth," said bill<BR>supporter Sen. John
Eichelberger (R., Blair). "The attacks take away a<BR>person's ability
to function in society."<BR><BR>The bill cleared the House, 194-4, but
suddenly stalled in the Senate<BR>earlier this month after an amendment
stripping out the criminal penalties<BR>was added leaving only the civil
penalty that may not be collected.<BR><BR>During floor debate on Tuesday
Eichelberger and Sen. Anthony Williams (D.,<BR>Phila.) argued vigorously for
the tougher bill.<BR><BR>Opponent Sen. Mary Jo White (R., Venango) said she
did not think an owner<BR>should be criminally penalized for their dog's bad
behavior.<BR><BR><BR><BR>"I think to make someone a criminal for attacks of a
dog is wrong," she<BR>said.<BR><BR><BR><BR>Williams strongly disagreed, saying
there are people who knowingly turn<BR>their dangerous dogs out on the street
endangering innocent people and pets.<BR>"Civil penalties are not enough,"
said Williams. "This sends a message that<BR>we love animals and want to
protect people who reside with animals."<BR><BR>In addition to Sen. Mary Jo
White, those voting "no" on the bill were Sens.<BR>Don White (R., Armstrong) ,
Michael Brubaker (R., Lancaster), Pat Vance (R.,<BR>Cumberland), Jim Ferlo
(D., Allegheny), Joe Scarnati (R., Jefferson) Jeff<BR>Piccola (R., Dauphin),
Lloyd Smucker (R., Lancaster), Jane Earll (R., Erie)<BR>Lisa Baker (R.,
Luzerne).<BR><BR><BR><BR>The bill's lead sponsor, Rep. John Evans (R. Erie),
said the final<BR>compromise was acceptable. He said he can live with the
charge being<BR>downgraded - at the judge's discretion - from a second to a
third-degree<BR>misdemeanor. (By contrast, in Florida a dog attack on a
service dog is a<BR>felony offense.)<BR><BR>Evans said he was pleased the fine
was tripled from $5,000 to $15,000. "That<BR>will help pay for the cost of vet
care or a replacement dog," said Evans,<BR>noting that training for a service
dog can reach $50,000.<BR><BR>Evans says he is optimistic that Gov. Corbett
will support the bill and he<BR>hopes to bring two of the canine victims of
attacks, and their human<BR>handlers, to the bill
signing.<BR><BR><BR><BR><BR><BR>Posted by Amy Worden @ 8:52 AM Permalink
| 1
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