COLUMBIA, S.C. - A bill sent to the full Senate by the Medical Affairs Committee would make it a crime to interfere with or injure a guide dog.

The bill, passed by the committee Wednesday, was amended to protect an individual if they injured or killed a guide dog in self-defense.

Anyone convicted of killing a guide dog under the proposal would face up to three years in prison and a minimum fine of $2,000. Interfering with a guide dog would carry up to 30 days in jail and a minimum fine of $500 on first offense.

The Medical Affairs Committee also sent the nomination of Willie Lee Catoe as director of the Department of Alcohol and other Drug Abuse Services to the full Senate for approval.