Ohio Ohio Service Dog Law

Definitions​

In Section 2921.321, "Assaulting a police dog or horse; harassing a police dog or horse; assaulting an assistance dog; harassing an assistance dog," the following is stated: "(4) “Assistance dog,” “blind,” and “mobility impaired person” have the same meanings as in section 955.011 of the Revised Code."

R.C. § 2921.321

"Assistance dog” means a guide dog, hearing dog, or service dog that has been trained by a nonprofit special agency.

“Guide dog” means a dog that has been trained or is in training to assist a blind person.

“Hearing dog” means a dog that has been trained or is in training to assist a deaf or hearing-impaired person.

“Service dog” means a dog that has been trained or is in training to assist a mobility impaired person.

RC § 955.011

SDIT Covered?​

Yes. When either a blind, deaf or hearing impaired, or mobility impaired person or a trainer of an assistance dog is accompanied by an assistance dog, the person or the trainer, as applicable, is entitled to the full and equal accommodations, advantages, facilities, and privileges . . .

R.C. § 955.43

Accommodation Law​

When either a blind, deaf or hearing impaired, or mobility impaired person or a trainer of an assistance dog is accompanied by an assistance dog, the person or the trainer, as applicable, is entitled to the full and equal accommodations, advantages, facilities, and privileges of all public conveyances, hotels, lodging places, all places of public accommodation, amusement, or resort, all institutions of education, and other places to which the general public is invited.

R.C. § 955.43

Harassment of/Interference with Service Dogs​

No person shall knowingly cause, or attempt to cause, physical harm to an assistance dog in either of the following circumstances:

(1) The dog is assisting or serving a blind, deaf or hearing impaired, or mobility impaired person at the time the physical harm is caused or attempted.

(2) The dog is not assisting or serving a blind, deaf or hearing impaired, or mobility impaired person at the time the physical harm is caused or attempted, but the offender has actual knowledge that the dog is an assistance dog.

No person shall recklessly do any of the following:

1. Taunt, torment, or strike an assistance dog;
2. Throw an object or substance at an assistance dog;
3. Interfere with or obstruct an assistance dog, or interfere with or obstruct a blind, deaf or hearing impaired, or mobility impaired person who is being assisted or served by an assistance dog, in a manner that does any of the following (described in (a) to (d) of the law);
4. Engage in any conduct that is likely to cause serious physical injury or death to an assistance dog;
5. If the person is the owner, keeper, or harborer of a dog, fail to reasonably restrain the dog from taunting, tormenting, chasing, approaching in a menacing fashion or apparent attitude of attack, or attempting to bite or otherwise endanger an assistance dog that at the time of the conduct is assisting or serving a blind, deaf or hearing impaired, or mobility impaired person or that the person knows is an assistance dog.

Assaulting as assistance dog is a misdemeanor of the second degree unless:

• death of assistance dog - felony of the third degree if results
• serious physical harm to the assistance dog other than its death - felony of the fourth degree
• physical harm to the assistance dog other than death or serious physical harm - misdemeanor of the first degree

Harassing an assistance dog is a misdemeanor of the second degree unless:

• death of the assistance dog - felony of the third degree
• serious physical harm to the assistance dog, but does not result in its death - felony of the fourth degree
• physical harm to the assistance dog, but does not result in its death or in serious physical harm to it - misdemeanor of the first degree

RC § 2921.321

Driving Law​

The driver of every vehicle shall yield the right of way to every blind pedestrian guided by a guide dog.

Violation is a minor misdemeanor.

R.C. § 4511.47

Licensing Law​

When an application is made for registration of an assistance dog and the owner can show proof by certificate or other means that the dog is an assistance dog, the owner of the dog shall be exempt from any fee for the registration.

R.C. § 955.011