HB5488

Establishes the offense of assault upon or injury to a service animal in West Virginia and provides penalties.

West Virginia HB5488 creates the offense of assault upon or injury to a service animal, defining it as recklessly causing or attempting to cause physical harm to a service animal. This includes when the animal is assisting a person who is blind, deaf, or hearing impaired or a person with a disability as defined by the ADA, or when the offender knows the animal is a service animal. The bill also prohibits actions such as taunting, striking, or obstructing a service animal.