NJ Statute 2C:29-3.2
An Act concerning offenses against service animals and guide dogs, designated as “Dusty’s Law,” and supplementing Title 2C of the New Jersey Statutes.
Be It Enacted by the Senate and General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:
C.2C:29-3.2 Offenses against service animals, guide dogs, degree of crime; penalties, restitution.
| 1. | a. | Any person who recklessly kills a service animal or guide dog, or who recklessly permits a dog that the person owns or over which the person has immediate control, to injure or kill a service animal or guide dog, is guilty of a crime of the fourth degree. |
| b. | Any person who recklessly injures a service animal or guide dog, or recklessly permits a dog that the person owns or over which the person has immediate control, to injure a service animal or guide dog, is guilty of a disorderly persons offense. | |
| c. | Any person who recklessly interferes with the use of a service animal or guide dog, or who recklessly permits a dog that the person owns or over which that person has immediate control, to interfere with a service animal or guide dog, by obstructing, intimidating, or otherwise jeopardizing the safety of that service animal or guide dog or its handler, is guilty of a petty disorderly persons offense. | |
| d. | A person who is convicted of a violation of this section, in addition to any other penalty, shall make full restitution for all damages that arise out of or are related to the offense, including incidental and consequential damages incurred by the handler of the service animal or guide dog. Restitution under this section shall include, but not be limited to:(1) the value of the service animal or guide dog;(2) replacement and training or retraining expenses for the service animal or guide dog and the handler;(3) veterinary and other medical and boarding expenses for the service animal or guide dog;(4) medical expenses for the handler; and(5) lost wages or income incurred by the handler during any period that the handler is without the services of the service animal or guide dog. | |
| e. | As used in this section:
“Guide dog” shall mean a dog which has been or is being raised or trained to provide assistance to a blind or deaf person, including but not limited to a dog that has been or is being raised or trained by a volunteer puppy raiser or staff member of an organization generally recognized as being involved in the rehabilitation of the blind or deaf and reputable and competent to provide dogs with specialized training. “Service animal” shall have the same meaning as set forth in the federal “Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990” (42 U.S.C. s.12101 et seq.) and any regulations under the act. |
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| 2. | This act shall take effect immediately. |
Approved January 17, 2014.
More Information
Please contact Guide Dog Committee Chair Dan Facchini at 201-906-8655 or danfb@verizon.net for any questions regarding to Dusty’s Law or anything related to guide dogs.