Pennsylvania has a new law to protect the service dogs used by people who are blind, deaf or physically impaired. A local woman is responsible for getting House Bill 165 on the books. Three of Passle Helminski's service dogs have been attacked by other dogs. She's been pushing for the legislation for fifteen years and credits State Representative, John Evans with helping to get it through.
Attacks on service dogs are a fairly common problem. When the specially trained dogs are at work, their mind is on the job, not on protecting themselves against attacks from other animals. When service dogs are attacked the resulting physical and psychological issues mean more than one third of them are never able to return to work. Now, those attacks will be punishable under state law.
House Bill 165 makes it a third degree misdemeanor if your dog attacks a service dog and you'll pay a five thousand dollar fine. If a dog owner could have restrained their dog and prevented the attack, they may also be forced to pay veterinary bills, and pay the cost of retraining or replacing the service dog.
Helminski and her service dog are heading to Harrisburg for a ceremonial signing of the bill later this week.
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