An Ocean City woman was recognized last week by The Seeing Eye organization of New Jersey for her role in securing passage of legislation that helps protect service animals and guide dogs.
Audrey Kernan was instrumental in helping navigate “Dusty’s Law” through the New Jersey State Assembly and Senate, said Jim Kutsch, President and CEO of the Seeing Eye, the world’s oldest guide dog school.
Signed into law by Governor Chris Christie in January, Dusty’s Law sets criminal penalties for killing, injuring or interfering with working dogs and other service animals.
A 2010 attack by a neighbor’s pit bull on prospective Seeing Eye dog and the law’s namesake, Dusty, prompted a grass roots effort to secure the legislation.
“Dusty survived the attack, but he lost some teeth and required nearly 100 stitches for his wounds –and his volunteer puppy-raiser lost part of his finger defending him,” explained Kernan, a lifelong resident of Ocean City. “The injuries prevented Dusty from becoming a guide dog. A blind person would have been left vulnerable if his or her dog were the victim of such an attack, which previously was not considered a crime. Now, as a result of the legislation, we have penalties established and empowerment for law enforcement in this type of situation.”
Kutsch said Kernan was an integral part of Seeing Eye’s efforts to secure passage of the law. “Audrey’s efforts were tireless,” he said. “She was all over the state. If Audrey had any possible opportunity to meet with someone to help move this legislation along, she was there.” Kutsch said.
“Because of her efforts, our guide dog handlers, puppy-raisers, instructors and their dogs and puppies will now receive much greater protection against attacks.”
Kutsch cited a 2011 survey by his organization revealing 40 percent of all guide dog teams have been attacked and that almost 90 percent have been interfered with by other dogs running loose or poorly controlled by their owners.
Kernan, a Worker’s Compensation Judge in the State Department of Labor and Workforce Development who presides over a court in Camden, has volunteered her time to the Seeing Eye for years. Most recently, she and her son Cooper raised Gusty, a German shepherd recently placed with a blind man in California.
“This recognition is gratifying and unexpected,” said Kernan. “I receive a lot more from the Seeing Eye than I give.”
On hand for the presentation at Seeing Eye’s facility here was Kernan’s father, John Kemenosh, a former Ocean City Councilman, and State Senator Anthony Bucco (R-25th district) who was sponsor of the bill.
“I’m quite proud of all my daughter’s many accomplishments, but this one is the absolute pinnacle,” said Kemenosh, an 87-year-old World War II veteran. “I don’t think many New Jersey residents realize we are home base for Seeing Eye dogs worldwide. If you see a Seeing Eye dog anywhere in the world, it is exported from New Jersey. And now we have one of the toughest laws in the nation to help protect these remarkable animals.”
— News release from Tim Kelly, TGKpress@gmail.com
