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

Under existing law, it is an infraction or a misdemeanor for any person to permit any dog that 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 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. Existing law provides for the compensation of victims of certain crimes by the California Victim Compensation Board from the Restitution Fund, a continuously appropriated fund, for specified losses suffered as a result of those crimes. Existing law authorizes the person with a disability in either of the above crimes to apply for compensation by the board for veterinary bills and replacement costs if the dog is disabled or killed, or other reasonable costs, as specified, in an amount not to exceed $10,000. 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. 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, incurred by the person as a direct result of the crime. The bill would authorize the disabled person to apply for compensation from the California Victim Compensation Board and would authorize the board to pay compensation for medical and medical-related expenses, and loss of wages or income incurred by the person with a disability as a direct result of a violation of those criminal provisions, in an amount not to exceed $10,000. By expanding the authorization for the use of moneys in the continuously appropriated Restitution Fund, this bill would make an appropriation. 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. This bill would incorporate additional changes to Section 13955 of the Government Code proposed by Senate Bill 1494 to be operative only if this bill and SB 1494 are enacted and this bill is enacted last. This bill would incorporate additional changes to Section 13957 of the Government Code proposed by SB 1005, AB 900, and AB 1939 to be operative only if this bill and any or all of those bills are enacted and this bill is enacted last.