Victim compensation: guide, signal, or service dogs.

Existing law provides for the compensation of victims and derivative victims of certain crimes by the California Victim Compensation and Government Claims Board from the Restitution Fund, a continuously appropriated fund, for specified losses suffered as a result of those crimes. Existing law establishes limits on the amount of compensation the board may award, and sets forth eligibility requirements for compensation, including, among others, that the victim or derivative victim suffer physical injury or emotional injury and a threat of physical injury, as specified. Under existing law, it is an infraction or a misdemeanor for any person to permit any dog which is owned, harbored, or controlled by him or her to cause injury to or the death of any guide, signal, or service dog, as defined, while the guide, signal, or service dog is in discharge of its duties. Existing law makes any person who intentionally causes injury to or the death of any guide, signal, or service dog, as defined, while the dog is in discharge of its duties, guilty of a misdemeanor. Under existing law, if a defendant is convicted of either of these crimes, the defendant is required to make restitution to the person with the disability who has custody or ownership of the dog for any veterinary bills, replacement costs of the dog, or other reasonable costs deemed appropriate by the court if the dog is disabled or killed. This bill would make a person with a disability whose guide, signal, or service dog is disabled or killed due to either of the crimes described above eligible for compensation from the Restitution Fund, in an amount not to exceed $10,000. By expanding the authorization for the use of moneys in the Restitution Fund, a continuously appropriated fund, this bill would make an appropriation.