S-2008.1  _______________________________________________

                    SUBSTITUTE SENATE BILL 5942

          _______________________________________________

State of Washington      57th Legislature     2001 Regular Session

By Senate Committee on Judiciary (originally sponsored by Senators McAuliffe, Jacobsen and Oke)

READ FIRST TIME 03/05/01.

Increasing penalties for crimes against dog guides and service animals.

    AN ACT Relating to dog guides and service animals; adding a new section to chapter 9.91 RCW; and prescribing penalties.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:

NEW SECTION. Sec. 1.  A new section is added to chapter 9.91 RCW to read as follows:

    (1)(a) Any person who intentionally interferes with the use of a dog guide or service animal by obstructing, intimidating, or otherwise jeopardizing the safety of the dog guide or service animal user, or his or her dog guide or service animal, is guilty of a gross misdemeanor punishable according to chapter 9A.20 RCW.

    (b) Any person who intentionally or negligently allows his or her pet to interfere with the use of a dog guide or service animal by obstructing, intimidating, or otherwise jeopardizing the safety of the dog guide or service animal user, or his or her dog guide or service animal, is guilty of a gross misdemeanor punishable according to chapter 9A.20 RCW.

    (2) Any person who negligently injures or causes the death of a dog guide or service animal, or negligently allows his or her pet to injure or cause the death of a dog guide or service animal, is guilty of a gross misdemeanor punishable according to chapter 9A.20 RCW.

    (3) Any person who intentionally injures or causes the death of a dog guide or service animal is guilty of a class B felony punishable according to chapter 9A.20 RCW.

    (4) Any person who wrongfully obtains or exerts unauthorized control over the dog guide or service animal with intent to deprive the dog guide or service animal user of the dog guide or service animal is guilty of a class B felony punishable according to chapter 9A.20 RCW.

    (5) In any case in which the defendant is convicted of a violation of this section, the defendant shall be ordered to make restitution for veterinary expenses and replacement costs, including retraining, of the dog guide or service animal to the party or parties who are responsible for such costs, and restitution for any income lost by the dog guide or service animal user if the dog guide or service animal is no longer able to safely or dependably perform its duties.

    (6) Nothing in this section is intended to affect any civil remedies available for violations of this section.

                            --- END ---