HOUSE BILL REPORT

SSB 6350

BYSenate Committee on Law & Justice (originally sponsored by Senators Smith, Halsan, Zimmerman, West and Bauer)

Establishing a civil penalty for killing or injuring a guide or service dog.

House Committe on Judiciary

Majority Report:  Do pass.  (16)

      Signed by Representatives Armstrong, Chair; Crane, Vice Chair; Appelwick, Belcher, Brough, P. King, Lewis, Locke, Meyers, Moyer, Padden, Patrick, Schmidt, Scott, Wang and Wineberry.

House Staff:Bill Perry (786-7123)

AS PASSED HOUSE MARCH 2, 1988

BACKGROUND:

It is a gross misdemeanor for a person intentionally to take, lead away, confine, secrete, convert, wilfully kill or injure any dog, or to conceal the identity of any dog or its owner by removing the dog's tag.  Violation of this law can result in up to one year in jail and/or a fine of up to $1,000.

SUMMARY:

A person who negligently or maliciously kills or injures a guide or service dog must pay a penalty of $1,000 to the user of the dog.  This penalty is in addition to any other remedies or penalties, either civil or criminal provided in the law.

When a guide or service dog is negligently or maliciously injured or killed, the user or owner of the dog is entitled to recover reasonable attorney fees and costs incurred in pursuing any civil remedy.

Fiscal Note:      Not Requested.

House Committee ‑ Testified For:    Kay Kipp, National Federation of the Blind.

House Committee - Testified Against:      None Presented.

House Committee - Testimony For:    Current law does not provide adequate remedy.  The loss of a guide or service dog is a substantial monetary hardship on a user.

House Committee - Testimony Against:      None Presented.