[Njagdu] Dusty's Law Plus EXCERPT FROM MATILDA ZIEGLER MAGAZINE FOR THE BLIND OF AUGUST 14, 2012

Wed Aug 15 02:34:32 UTC 2012

To All Advocates for Dusty's Law:

We in the New Jersey Association of Guide Dog Users have worked on the
situation of attacks of a guide dog since early 2009, when we recognized and
for many experienced the vulnerability of attack in our communities for
guide dog partners. We followed the progress of the bill in Pensylvania as
it directly related to our NFBNJ Resolution 2009-02 and our goal to have
this become the law in New Jersey.

The following article is good news for Pensylvania and I strongly urge
everyone in our state to contact their legislatures in order for  us to
celebrate Dusty's Law being signed into a NJ law.

We need you to call and write, the time to advocate is Now.

----- Original Message ----- 

From: ED FEDUSH <mailto:efedush at verizon.net>  

To: Undisclosed-Recipient:; 

Sent: Tuesday, August 14, 2012 7:28 PM

Subject: EXCERPT FROM MATILDA ZIEGLER MAGAZINE FOR THE BLIND OF AUGUST 14,
2012

Hello All:

Thought this might interest you, if you already have not seen or do not know
about it.

As you undoubtedly know, the National Federation of the Blind of New Jersey,
in particular, has made a strong, concerted letter-writing effort to our
Assemblymen and Women to urge sponsorship and co-sponsorship of this
important, valuable and necessary legislation.

Ed Fedush

Feature Writer Ann Chiappetta - State Law Passed to Protect Guide and 
Service Dog Teams

The rise in dogs attacking guide and service dog teams appears to be 
escalating, or at least it seems that way to those who are keeping watch. 
Just this week alone, an Australian man's guide dog was attacked and 
subsequently died during the assault, and a Scottish man's 2 year-old black 
Labrador guide dog was retired prematurely due to the trauma from continued 
harassment by unsupervised dogs. The push for officials to pass laws 
penalizing offending dog owners is gaining interest in the global community,

and most notably, right here in the United States, thanks to a long-time 
guide dog handler and a Pennsylvania lawmaker.

The latest push to protect guide and service dogs comes from a woman named 
Passel Helminski, who lives in Pennsylvania, and who has been lobbying for 
stricter laws for over 15 years. Thanks to her and Pennsylvania State 
Representative John Evans, House Bill 165 has passed and is now in the state

law books. The law makes it a third degree misdemeanor for offending owners 
of a dog who attacks a service dog.  A service dog is defined as a dog that 
serves to mitigate a physical disability, a hearing dog, or a guide dog. If 
convicted, the offender could pay a five thousand dollar fine. If evidence 
shows a dog owner could have restrained their dog and prevented the attack, 
they may also be forced to pay veterinary bills, and pay the cost of 
retraining or replacing the service dog.  The training of a guide dog is 
estimated at costing roughly $45,000 and the cost of training a dog for the 
deaf or a person with physical disabilities runs between $5,000 and $30,000,

respectively.

Aside from the economic strain resulting from an attack, the trauma is akin 
to being the victim of a robbery or assault due to the physical and 
psychological effects upon both dog and handler. A study performed by a 
popular guide dog school revealed that close to one third of dogs are 
prematurely retired after being attacked. As for Passel, all three of her 
guide dogs were attacked by aggressive dogs.

Passel and her service dog are heading to Harrisburg for a ceremonial 
signing of the bill later this week.

To view the original article in the PA press, go to:

<http://www.erietvnews.com/story/19208079/new-law-protects-service-dogs?clie
ntype=printable>
http://www.erietvnews.com/story/19208079/new-law-protects-service-dogs?clien
type=printable

The article on the Scottish Attack:

<http://www.ayrshirepost.net/ayrshire-news/local-news-ayrshire/ayr-news/2012
/08/10/prestwick-man-s-guide-dog-attacked-102545-31574911/>
http://www.ayrshirepost.net/ayrshire-news/local-news-ayrshire/ayr-news/2012/
08/10/prestwick-man-s-guide-dog-attacked-102545-31574911/

The Australian incident:

<http://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/victoria/guide-dog-mauled-to-death-by-pit-
bulls/story-e6frf7kx-1226447407343>
http://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/victoria/guide-dog-mauled-to-death-by-pit-b
ulls/story-e6frf7kx-1226447407343 

Vinny

Vincent G Chaney Jr

732-251-8650

President, NFBNJ New Jersey Association of Guide Dog Users

President, NFBNJ Diabetes Division

Vice President, NFBNJ Technology Division

Webmaster: nfbnj.org http://www.nfbnj.org <http://www.nfbnj.org/> 

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