New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie, signed legislation known as Dusty's Law, which gives extra legal protections to guide dogs. Dusty's Law is named after a 9 month old German Shepherd who was training to be a guide dog in 2010.
During this time, another dog attacked him, he required 100 stitches, lost some of his teeth and became so emotionally traumatized from the incident that they couldn't keep him in the program. Dusty's trainer, Roger Woodhour, recently told a New Jersey news site that almost half of all guide dogs are attacked by other animals.
Prior Dusty's Law, violence against a guide dog wouldn't be treated as a criminal offense; it would be referred to the police department who then were required to refer it to animal control.
Now with Dusty's Law, someone who assaults or kills a guide animal, or that allows an animal in their custody to do so, is guilty of a fourth-degree crime. Meaning that if the person is found guilty they are subject to a maximum of 18 months behind bars, a $10,000 fine, or both!!
What a great article!
