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

Mon May 28 13:27:34 UTC 2012

Tracy

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....

Kathy Rawa and Dorito

In a message dated 5/28/2012 9:21:21 A.M. Eastern Daylight Time,  
carcione at access.net writes:

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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