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1995 SESSION

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LD0233410
HOUSE BILL NO. 1681 Offered January 17, 1995 A BILL to amend the Code of Virginia by adding a section numbered 3.1-796.128:1, relating to interference with a guide or leader dog; penalty. ---------- Patrons--Puller, Darner, Jackson, Moss and Shuler; Senator: Saslaw ---------- Referred to Committee on Agriculture ----------

Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Virginia:

1. That the Code of Virginia is amended by adding a section numbered 3.1-769.128:1 as follows:

§3.1-796.128:1. Intentional interference with a guide or leader dog.

A. It is unlawful for a person to willfully and maliciously impede or interfere with the duties performed by a dog if the person knows or has reason to believe the dog is a guide or leader dog. Violation of this subsection is a Class 3 misdemeanor.

B. It is unlawful for a person to willfully and maliciously assault or injure a dog if the person knows or has reason to believe the dog is a guide or leader dog. Violation of this subsection is a Class 2 misdemeanor.

Any person who commits an offense under this section shall be liable for actual damages to any person aggrieved thereby including damages due to injury to the guide or leader dog and, if necessary, compensation for the loss and replacement of the dog.

“Guide or leader dog” means a dog that (i) serves as a dog guide for a blind person as defined in § 63.1-142 or for a person with a visual disability, (ii) serves as a listener for a deaf or hard-of-hearing person as defined in § 63.1-85.3:1 or (iii) provides support or assistance for a physically disabled or handicapped person.