10 DIGIT ID CODE

VIRGINIA SERVICE DOG LAWS

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UNDER CRIMINAL INTERFERENCE LAW DEFINITIONS:

“Guide or leader dog” means a dog that:

1. serves as a dog guide for a blind person as defined in § 51.5-60 or for a person with a visual disability;

2.  serves as a listener for a deaf or hard-of-hearing person as defined in § 51.5-111; or

3. provides support or assistance for a physically disabled or handicapped person.

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UNDER CHAPTER 9 DEFINITIONS

“Hearing dog” means a dog trained to alert its owner by touch to sounds of danger and sounds to which the owner should respond.

 

“Person with a disability” means: Any person who has a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more of his major life activities or who has a record of such impairment.

 

“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. 

 

“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.

 

ACCOMMODATION LAW

A person with a disability has the same rights as other persons to the full and free use of the streets, highways, sidewalks, walkways, public buildings, public facilities, and other public places.

 

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.

 

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:

1. in harness, provided such person is an experienced trainer of guide dogs or is conducting continuing training of a guide dog

2. on a blaze orange leash, provided such person is an experienced trainer of hearing dogs or is conducting continuing training of a hearing dog

3. 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

4. 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

5. 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

 

HARASSMENT OF INTERFERENCE WITH SERVICE DOGS

A violation of subsection is a Class 3 misdemeanor. Any person who 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.

 

It is unlawful for a person 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. A violation of this subsection is a Class 1 misdemeanor.

 

DRIVING LAW

The driver of a vehicle approaching a totally or partially blind pedestrian who is accompanied by dog guide shall take all necessary precautions to avoid injury to such blind pedestrian and dog guide. Any driver who fails 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

 

A totally or partially blind pedestrian crossing or attempting to cross a highway in accordance with the provisions of § 46.2-923 guided by a dog guide, the driver of every vehicle approaching the intersection or place of crossing shall bring his vehicle to a full stop before arriving at such intersection or place of crossing, unless such intersection or place of crossing is controlled by a law-enforcement officer or traffic light.

 

Any person violating any provision of this section shall be guilty of 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