Establishing offense of assault upon service animal

SB 192 creates a new criminal offense for knowingly harming or recklessly interfering with service animals in West Virginia. It prohibits actions like causing physical harm, taunting, or obstructing service animals while they assist people who are blind, deaf, or have mobility impairments. Violators face misdemeanor penalties of up to one year in jail, a $500 fine, or both, plus requirements to pay veterinary costs, equipment damage, or replacement costs for the service animal. The law applies only when the offender knows or should know the animal is a service animal. This directly affects service animal handlers with disabilities and those who target these animals.