Bill > HB5488

This bill establishes a new criminal offense for assaulting or injuring a service animal, which is defined as an animal assisting a person who is blind, deaf, hearing impaired, or has a disability as defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). The law prohibits recklessly causing or attempting to cause physical harm to a service animal, whether it is actively assisting its handler or not, as long as the offender knows it is a service animal. It also makes it illegal to taunt, torment, strike, throw objects at, or interfere with a service animal or its handler in a way that disrupts the animal's assistance. Violators face misdemeanor charges, punishable by up to one year in jail, a fine of up to $500, or both, and will be required to pay full restitution for all damages, including the animal's value, replacement and training costs, veterinary and medical expenses for both the animal and handler, and any lost wages for the handler.

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http://www.wvlegislature.gov/Bill_Status/Bills_history.cfm?input=5488&year=2026&sessiontype=RS&btype=bill