Definitions
Under Subchapter 1, Cruelty to Animals:“Guide dog” means a dog, whose status is reasonably identifiable individually trained to do work or perform tasks for the benefit of an individual with a disability for purposes of guiding an individual with impaired vision, alerting an individual with impaired hearing to the presence of people or sounds, assisting an individual during a seizure, pulling a wheelchair, retrieving items, providing physical support and assistance with balance and stability, and assisting with navigation.
13 V.S.A. § 355
SDIT Covered?
Yes. An owner or operator of a place of public accommodation or his or her employee or agent shall not prohibit from entering a place of public accommodation:(1) an individual with a disability accompanied by a service animal; or
(2) an individual who is training an animal to perform as a service animal for an individual with a disability.
9 V.S.A. § 4502
Accommodation Law
Public accommodations law:An owner or operator of a place of public accommodation or his or her employee or agent shall not prohibit from entering a place of public accommodation:
- An individual with a disability accompanied by a service animal
- An individual who is training an animal to perform as a service animal for an individual with a disability
Civil action:
A person aggrieved by a violation of this chapter may file a charge of discrimination with the human rights commission or may bring an action for injunctive relief and compensatory and punitive damages and any other appropriate relief.
9 V.S.A. § 4506
Criminal penalty:
A person who violates a provision of this chapter shall be fined not more than $1,000.00.
9 V.S.A. § 4507
Harassment of/Interference with Service Dogs
Cause death to or injure guide dog:No person shall recklessly injure or cause the death of a guide dog, or recklessly permit a dog he or she owns or has custody of to injure or cause the death of a guide dog. A person who violates this subsection shall be imprisoned not more than two years or fined not more than $3,000.00, or both.
Interference with guide dog by other dog after notice:
No person who has received notice or has knowledge that his or her behavior, or the behavior of a dog he or she owns or has custody of; is interfering with the use of a guide dog shall recklessly continue to interfere with the use of a guide dog, or recklessly allow the dog he or she owns or has custody of to continue to interfere with the use of a guide dog, by obstructing, intimidating, or otherwise jeopardizing the safety of the guide dog user or his or her guide dog. A person who violates this subsection shall be imprisoned not more than one year or fined not more than $1,000.00, or both.
Interference with guide dog:
No person shall recklessly interfere with the use of a guide dog, or recklessly permit a dog he or she owns or has custody of to interfere with a guide dog, by obstructing, intimidating, or otherwise jeopardizing the safety of the guide dog user or his or her guide dog. A person who violates this subsection commits a civil offense and shall be:
(1) for a first offense, fined not more than $100.00.
(2) for a second or subsequent offense, fined not more than $250.00.
13 V.S.A. § 355
Driving Law
Whenever a pedestrian is crossing or attempting to cross a public street or highway, guided by a guide dog, drivers approaching intersection or crossing place must bring vehicles to a full stop before arriving, and before proceeding must take necessary precautions to avoid injuring the pedestrian.23 V.S.A. § 1057
