Accommodation Law
A proprietor who refuses to permit a person with disabilities to enter or use the place because the person with disabilities is being led or accompanied by a guide or leader dog, hearing dog, or service dog is guilty of a misdemeanor if:
- the guide or leader dog is wearing a harness or
- the hearing dog or service dog is wearing a blaze orange leash and collar, hearing dog cape, or service dog backpack
and the person with disabilities being led or accompanied has in his or her possession a pictured identification card certifying that the dog was trained by a qualified organization or trainer.
Also applies to trainers of guide, hearing, or service dogs.
Harassment of/Interference with Service Dogs
An individual shall not do either of the following to a dog that he or she knows or has reason to believe is a guide or leader dog for a blind individual, a hearing dog for a deaf or audibly impaired individual, or a service dog for a physically limited individual:
· Willfully and maliciously assault, beat, harass, injure, or attempt to assault, beat, harass or injure
· Willfully and maliciously impede or interfere with, or attempt to impede or interfere with duties performed
Violation is a misdemeanor punishable by imprisonment for not more than 90 days or a fine of not more than $500.00, or both.
Harassment of/Interference with Service Dogs
No person shallintentionally and without justification do either of the following to a service animal while it is providing service or while it is in the custody of the person it serves:
1. cause bodily harm to the animal; or
2. otherwise render the animal unable to perform its duties.
Penalty:
· where the violation renders the service animal unable to perform its duties is guilty of a gross misdemeanor.
· where the violation results in substantial bodily harm to a service animal may be sentenced to imprisonment for not more than two years or to payment of a fine of not more than $5,000, or both.
Mandatory restitution including the service animal user’s loss of income, veterinary expenses, transportation costs, and other expenses of temporary replacement assistance services, and service animal replacement or retraining costs incurred by a school, agency, or individual.
Driving Law
A driver of a vehicle shall not approach a crosswalk or any other pedestrian crossing without taking all necessary precautions to avoid accident or injury to a blind pedestrian using a dog guide or walker. If driver fails to take precautions, liable in damages to blind pedestrian. Can also face investigation by peace officer for violation and possible referral to prosecuting attorney.
Licensing Law
Dog is not subject to any fee for licensing if either of the following applies:
(a) The dog is used as a guide or leader dog for a blind person, a hearing dog for a deaf or audibly impaired person, or a service dog for a physically limited person.
(b) The dog is owned by a partnership, corporation, or other legal entity that trains dogs for use as guide or leader dogs for blind persons, hearing dogs for deaf or audibly impaired persons, or service dogs for physically limited persons.
Fraudulent Representation
A person, except a person who is deaf, audibly impaired, or otherwise physically limited shall not use or be in possession of a dog that is wearing a blaze orange leash and collar or harness in any public place.
Violation is a misdemeanor, punishable by a fine of not more than $10.00.