Definitions
As used in this section, “service animal” means:(A) Any animal that is individually trained, or being trained by an employee or puppy raiser from a recognized training agency or school to do work or perform tasks for the benefit of an individual with a disability, including a physical, sensory, psychiatric, intellectual, or other mental disability; and
(B) Any police dog, fire dog, search and rescue dog, or police horse.
T. C. A. § 39-14-216
SDIT Covered?
Yes. No proprietor, employee or other person in charge of any place of public accommodation, amusement or recreation . . . shall refuse to permit a dog guide trainer to enter such place or to make use of the accommodations provided in those places, when the accommodations are available, for the reason that the dog guide trainer is being led or accompanied by a dog guide in training; provided, that the dog guide in training, when led or accompanied by a dog guide trainer, is wearing a harness and is held on a leash by the dog guide trainer or, when led or accompanied by a dog guide trainer, is held on a leash by the dog guide trainer; and provided, further, that the dog guide trainer shall first have presented for inspection credentials issued by an accredited school for training dog guides.T. C. A. § 62-7-112
Accommodation Law
No proprietor, employee or other person in charge of any place of public accommodation, amusement or recreation shall refuse to permit a blind, physically disabled or deaf or hard of hearing person to enter the place or to make use of the accommodations for the reason that the blind, physically disabled or deaf or hard of hearing person is being led or accompanied by a dog guide.A violation of this section is a Class C misdemeanor.
T. C. A. § 62-7-112
Harassment of/Interference with Service Dogs
Chapter 14, Offenses Against Property:A person who intentionally or knowingly unlawfully injures the guide dog of another and, thereby, permanently deprives the owner of the use of the guide dog's services commits theft of that animal.
In determining the value of the guide dog, the court shall consider the value of the guide dog as both the cost of the dog as well as the cost of any specialized training the guide dog received.
T. C. A. § 39-14-208
A person commits aggravated cruelty to animals when, with aggravated cruelty and with no justifiable purpose, the person intentionally kills or intentionally causes serious physical injury to a companion animal.
Aggravated cruelty to animals is a Class E felony.
In addition to penalty, responsible for damages to animal.
If an unlawful act resulted in the death or permanent disability of a person's guide dog, then the value of the guide dog shall include, but shall not necessarily be limited to, both the cost of the guide dog as well as the cost of any specialized training the guide dog received.
T. C. A. § 39-14-212
It is an offense to maim or harm, or attempt to do so, or permit an animal owned to harm a service animal (violation is a Class A misdemeanor).
Under the law, it is an offense to knowingly interfere with a service animal in the performance of its duties (Class C misdemeanor).
In addition to any other penalty provided by this section, a person convicted shall be ordered by the court to make full restitution for all damages that arise out of or are related to the offense, including incidental and consequential damages incurred.
T. C. A. § 39-14-216
Chapter 17, Dogs and Cats:
If a person's guide dog is killed or sustains injuries that result in death or permanent disability caused by the unlawful and intentional, or negligent, act of another or the animal of another, then the trier of fact may find the individual causing the death or the owner of the animal causing the death liable for economic damages, which shall include, but shall not necessarily be limited to, both the cost of the guide dog as well as the cost of any specialized training the guide dog received.
T. C. A. § 44-17-404
Driving Law
Whenever any pedestrian guided by a guide dog or dog on a blaze orange leash shall undertake to cross any public street drivers must bring such vehicle to a complete stop and before proceeding shall take all precautions necessary to avoid injuring the pedestrian.A violation of this section is a Class C misdemeanor.
T. C. A. § 55-8-180
Service Dog Fraud
A person commits the offense of misrepresentation of a service animal or support animal who knowingly:(1) Fraudulently represents, as a part of a request to maintain a service animal or support animal in residential rental property under § 66-7-111 or § 66-28-406, that the person has a disability or disability-related need for the use of a service animal or support animal; or
(2) Provides documentation to a landlord under § 66-7-111(c) or § 66-28-406(c) that falsely states an animal is a service animal or support animal.
Misrepresentation of a service animal or support animal is a Class B misdemeanor.
T. C. A. § 39-16-304
