Statute in Full:
(a) Every visually handicapped, hearing impaired, or other physically disabled person shall have the right to be accompanied by a service animal especially trained to do work or to perform tasks for the benefit of an individual with a disability in or upon any and all public ways, public places, and other public accommodations and housing accommodations prescribed in § 20-14-303 and shall not be required to pay any extra fee or charge for the service animal.
(b) However, any visually handicapped, hearing impaired, or other physically disabled person accompanied by a service animal in any public way, public place, public accommodation, or housing accommodation shall be liable for any damage caused to the premises or facilities by the animal.
(c) As used in this section, "search and rescue dog" means any dog:
(1) In training for or trained for the purpose of search and rescue;
(2) Owned by an independent handler or a member of a search and rescue team; and
(3) Used in conjunction with local law enforcement or emergency services organizations for the purpose of locating missing persons or evidence of arson.
(d) Any person who without just cause purposely kills or injures any service animal described in this section or any search and rescue dog is guilty of a Class D felony.
(e) Any person who kills or injures any service animal described in this section or any search and rescue dog shall make restitution to the owner of the animal.
Acts of 1973, Act 484, § 3; Acts of 1979, Act 574, § 1; Acts of 1995, Act 266, § 1; Acts of 1999, Act 571, § 2, eff. July 30, 1999.
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