Guide, signal, and service dogs: injury or death.

Under existing law, it is an infraction or a misdemeanor for a person to permit a dog that is owned, harbored, or controlled by the person to cause injury to, or the death of, a guide, signal, or service dog, as defined, while the guide, signal, or service dog is in discharge of its duties. Existing law makes a person who intentionally causes injury to, or the death of, a guide, signal, or service dog, while the dog is in discharge of its duties, guilty of a misdemeanor. This bill would delete, from both crimes, the requirement that the guide, signal, or service dog be in discharge of its duties when the injury or death occurs 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, as specified. Under existing law, if a defendant is convicted of either of the above crimes, the defendant is required to make restitution to the person with a disability who has custody or ownership of the dog for any veterinary bills and replacement costs of the dog if it is disabled or killed, or other reasonable costs deemed appropriate by the court. The bill would require the defendant, convicted of either crime, to also make restitution to the person for medical or medical-related expenses, or for loss of wages or income, as defined, incurred by the person with a disability. The bill would also include in the definition of "replacement costs" for this purpose the training costs for a new dog, if needed, the cost of keeping the now-disabled dog in a kennel while the handler travels to receive the new dog, and, if needed, the cost of the travel required for the handler to receive the new dog. Because this bill would expand the scope and penalties of existing crimes, it would impose a state-mandated local program. The California Constitution requires the state to reimburse local agencies and school districts for certain costs mandated by the state. Statutory provisions establish procedures for making that reimbursement. This bill would provide that no reimbursement is required by this act for a specified reason.