Definitions
Under criminal interference law:Guide or leader dog" means a dog that:
- serves as a dog guide for a blind person as defined
- serves as a listener for a deaf or hard-of-hearing person as defined
- provides support or assistance for a physically disabled or handicapped person
Under Chapter 9 - Rights of Persons with Disabilities:
"Hearing dog" means a dog trained to alert its owner by touch to sounds of danger and sounds to which the owner should respond.
"Service dog" means a dog trained to do work or perform tasks for the benefit of a mobility-impaired or otherwise disabled person. The work or tasks performed by a service dog shall be directly related to the individual's disability or disorder. Examples of work or tasks include providing nonviolent protection or rescue work, pulling a wheelchair, assisting an individual during a seizure, alerting an individual to the presence of allergens, retrieving items, carrying items, providing physical support and assistance with balance and stability, and preventing or interrupting impulsive or destructive behaviors. The provision of emotional support, well-being, comfort, or companionship shall not constitute work or tasks for the purposes of this definition.
"Three-unit service dog team" means a team consisting of a trained service dog, a disabled person, and a person who is an adult and who has been trained to handle the service dog.
Va. Code Ann. § 51.5-40.1
SDIT Covered?
Yes. The provisions of this section shall apply to persons accompanied by a dog that is in training, at least six months of age, and is (i) in harness, provided such person is an experienced trainer of guide dogs or is conducting continuing training of a guide dog; (ii) on a blaze orange leash, provided such person is an experienced trainer of hearing dogs or is conducting continuing training of a hearing dog; (iii) in a harness, backpack, or vest identifying the dog as a trained service dog, provided such person is an experienced trainer of service dogs or is conducting continuing training of a service dog; (iv) wearing a jacket identifying the recognized guide, hearing or service dog organization, provided such person is an experienced trainer of the organization identified on the jacket; or (v) the person is part of a three-unit service dog team and is conducting continuing training of a service dog.Va. Code Ann. § 51.5-44
Accommodation Law
Every totally or partially blind person shall have the right to be accompanied by a dog, in harness, trained as a guide dog, every deaf or hearing-impaired person shall have the right to be accompanied by a dog trained as a hearing dog on a blaze orange leash, and every mobility-impaired or otherwise disabled person shall have the right to be accompanied by a dog, trained as a service dog, in a harness, backpack, or vest identifying the dog as a trained service dog, in any of the places listed in the law.Va. Code Ann. § 51.5-44
Any circuit court having jurisdiction and venue on the petition of any person with a disability, shall have the right to enjoin the abridgement of rights set forth in this chapter and to order such affirmative equitable relief as is appropriate and to award compensatory damages and to award to a prevailing party reasonable attorneys' fees.
Va. Code Ann. § 51.5-46
Harassment of/Interference with Service Dogs
Class 3 misdemeanor to, without just cause, willfully impede or interfere with the duties performed by a dog if the person knows or has reason to believe the dog is a guide or leader dog.Class 1 misdemeanor to, without just cause, willfully injure a dog if the person knows or has reason to believe the dog is a guide or leader dog.
Va. Code Ann. § 3.2-6588
Driving Law
Drivers approaching a totally or partially blind pedestrian using a dog guide shall take all necessary precautions to avoid injury.Driver who fail to take such precautions shall be liable in damages for any injury caused such pedestrian and dog guide.
Va. Code Ann. § 46.2-932.1
Drivers approaching totally or partially blind pedestrian crossing or attempting to cross a highway guided by a dog guide must make full stop before arriving at such intersection/crossing place.
Violation is a Class 3 misdemeanor.
Va. Code Ann. § 46.2-933
Licensing Law
No license tax shall be levied on any dog that is trained and serves as a guide dog for a blind person, that is trained and serves as a hearing dog for a deaf or hearing-impaired person, or that is trained and serves as a service dog for a mobility-impaired or otherwise disabled person.As used in this section, "hearing dog," "mobility-impaired person," "otherwise disabled person," and "service dog" have the same meanings as assigned in § 51.5-40.1.
Va. Code Ann. § 3.2-6528
Service Dog Fraud
Any person who knowingly and willfully fits a dog with a harness, collar, vest, or sign, or uses an identification card commonly used by a person with a disability, in order to represent that the dog is a service dog or hearing dog to fraudulently gain public access for such dog pursuant to provisions in § 51.5-44 is guilty of a Class 4 misdemeanor.Va. Code Ann. § 51.5-44.1
