California · Penal Code

PEN §600.5: (a) A person who intentionally causes injury to, or the death of, a guide, signal, or service dog is guilty of a misdemeanor, punishable by imprisonment in a county jail not exceeding one year, or by

Misdemeanor

What this law says, in plain English

A person who intentionally injures or kills a guide, signal, or service dog commits a misdemeanor punishable by up to one year in jail and/or a fine up to $10,000. Convicted persons must pay restitution to the dog's owner for veterinary bills, replacement costs, and other reasonable expenses.

Read the full statutory text
(a) A person who intentionally causes injury to, or the death of, a guide, signal, or service dog is guilty of a misdemeanor, punishable by imprisonment in a county jail not exceeding one year, or by a fine not exceeding ten thousand dollars ($10,000), or by both that fine and imprisonment. The court shall consider the costs ordered pursuant to subdivision (b) when determining the amount of any fines. (b) A defendant who is convicted of a violation of this section shall be ordered to make restitution to the person with a disability who has custody or ownership of the dog for any veterinary bills, replacement costs of the dog if it is disabled or killed, medical or medical-related expenses of the person with a disability, loss of wages or income of the person with a disability, or other reasonable costs deemed appropriate by the court. The costs ordered pursuant to this subdivision shall be paid prior to any fines. The person with the disability may apply for compensation by the California Victim Compensation Board pursuant to Chapter 5 (commencing with Section 13950) of Part 4 of Division 3 of Title 2 of the Government Code, in an amount not to exceed ten thousand dollars ($10,000). (c) For the purposes of this section, the following definitions apply: (1) “Guide, signal, or service dog” means a guide dog, signal dog, or service dog, as defined in Section 54.1 of the Civil Code. “Guide, signal, or service dog” also includes a dog enrolled in a training school or program, located in this state, for guide, signal, or service dogs. (2) “Located in this state” includes the training of a guide, signal, or service dog that occurs in this state, even if the training school or program is located in another state. (3) “Loss of wages or income” means wages or income that are lost by the person with a disability as a direct result of a violation of this section. (4) “Replacement costs” means all costs that are incurred in the replacement of the guide, signal, or service dog, including, but not limited to, the training costs for a new dog, if needed, the cost of keeping the now-disabled dog in a kennel while the handler travels to receive the new dog, and, if needed, the cost of the travel required for the handler to receive the new dog.

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This page is legal information, not legal advice. Code text is sourced from official publications and may lag amendments — always confirm at the official source linked above. Plain-English summaries and relationship data are AI-derived and reviewed on an ongoing basis; verify with a licensed attorney before acting.