State Laws

There are two places that keep federal and state laws in order for us and have staff (as in they pay them) to keep track of it properly. I won’t be listing the laws of each state but rather noting which parts of the laws apply. Such as which states have Service Dogs In Training (SDIT) laws or protection rules.

Michigan State University Animal Legal and Historical Center (ALHC) – They have a topic listing for Disability and Pets. They also have a rather large, hard-to-read “table” page of state laws with links to their pages for each state. This is the place to go for information.. I suggest the Control (Ctrl) and the F key at the same time then entering your state in the search box.

Service Dog Central (SDC) has a lot of information, including information on laws relating to Service Dogs. It is well organized but it can take a lot of clicks to get to the layer you are looking for. They have a listing of states. This site may not be kept up-to-date and is listed here only as resource.

SDC website is defunct. It only returns blank pages. I will be removing all the links.

map displaying the states of the Southeast. Click for larger version.
map of the US w/ Southeast states highlighted. Click for larger version.

These maps are what I will use later for color coding or whatever. Click either of them for larger versions, although there is nothing to see at this point.

North Carolina (done)*
South Carolina (done)
Georgia
Tennessee
Alabama
Mississippi
Louisiana
Virginia
Kentucky
Florida

* “done” means interpretation of the laws are done.

Still to do:
West Virginia
Arkansas
Maryland and Delaware? (which are not included in my maps above)
Any other state?

Needed for this page:
Map of South w/ these states highlighted
Map to indicate which ones have what (SDIT laws? extra protection like FL?)
Or checklist? Both?


North Carolina
ALHC – https://www.animallaw.info/statute/nc-assistance-animals-….

– has SDIT law (statute §14-168-4.2)
– has a tag to be issued that grants full access (statute §14-168-4.2) although full access is already granted via the federal law. This tag is considered illegal and redundant. Persons with SDs in the state are encouraged to not get one because it makes businesses think every SD team should have one. The state has finally updated its wording (but not the application) to allow owner-trained service dogs to apply for a tag. It requires “a letter signed by a witness to verify what work or tasks the animal has been trained to perform”.
– it is a Class 3 misdemeanor to disguise a dog as a SD (statute §14-168-4.5). This is my personal favorite.
– according to statute §14-163-1, if a person knows a dog is a service animal and they:

  • kill it, they are charged with a Class H felony
  • cause it serious harm, they are charged with a Class I felony
  • harm or attempt to harm, they are charged with a Class 1 misdemeanor
  • “taunts, teases, harasses, delays, obstructs, or attempts to delay or obstruct the animal in the performance of its duty”, they are charged with a Class 2 misdemeanor
  • do any of the above and are found guilty, they also owe various restitutions


South Carolina
ALHC – https://www.animallaw.info/statute/sc-assistance-animal….

– ebook “Animal Law in South Carolina – Piecing It All Together” – put together by a law office in Charleston.
– “A person who violates the provisions of this section is guilty of a misdemeanor” (Code 1976 § 43-33-40). Does this mean those who deny access?
– There are several laws protecting SDs and guide dogs. All of them are considered misdemeanors. You cannot interfere (once you’ve been told not to), nor can your dogs interfere (once you’ve been notified) if they are not contained (Code 1976 § 47-3-930). It is unlawful for you and your dogs “with reckless disregard” to “injure, disable, or cause the death of” a SD or guide dog (Code 1976 § 47-3-940). You also cannot gain control over the SD or guide dog with the intent of depriving the person of their dog (Code 1976 § 47-3-950). Interestingly, this carried less monetary fine but more jail time than killing an SD. And it is illegal to “intentionally injure, disable, or cause the death” of a SD or guide dog (Code 1976 § 47-3-960).


Georgia
ALHC – https://www.animallaw.info/statute/ga-assistance-animal….


Tennessee
ALHC – https://www.animallaw.info/statute/tn-assistance-animal….


Alabama
ALHC – https://www.animallaw.info/statute/al-assistance-animal….


Mississippi
ALHC – https://www.animallaw.info/statute/ms-assistance-animal….

Has a “Harassment of guide dogs” section but it seems to cover all SDs, not just guide
Has “Guide, leader and listener dogs or other animals” section that covers trainers have full access


Louisiana
ALHC – https://www.animallaw.info/statute/la-assistance-animal….

Has “trainers rights” law
Has “Negligent Injuring” law but only covers those trained by qualified schools
But also has a “Violation of rights; injury or interference with an assistance dog” law covers dog meets service dog situations (vs person meets SD).


Virginia
ALHC – https://www.animallaw.info/statute/va-assistance-animal….
see also: Virginia Beach, VA law against interfering with “guide or leader dog”

Has “Fraudulent representation” law.
Has “Intentional interference” law.


Kentucky
ALHC – https://www.animallaw.info/statute/ky-assistance-animal…


Florida
ALHC – https://www.animallaw.info/statute/fl-assistance-animal….

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