10 DIGIT ID CODE

WEST VIRGINIA SERVICE DOG LAWS

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DEFINITIONS:

“Service animal” means: Any guide dog, signal dog or other animal which are individually trained to do work or perform tasks for the benefit of an individual with a disability, but not limited to, guide individuals with impaired vision, alerting individuals with impaired hearing to intruders or sounds, providing minimal protection or rescue work, pulling a wheelchair or fetching dropped items. Va. Code, § 5-15-3

 

ACCOMMODATION LAW

Every person who is blind, with a hearing impairment and with a disability shall have the right to be accompanied by a service animal in any of the places, accommodations or conveyances of this section without being required to pay an extra charge for the admission of the service animal. 

 

The rights, privileges and responsibilities provided by this section also apply to any person who is certified as a trainer of a service animal while he or she is engaged in the training. Va. Code, § 5-15-4

 

Violation has a corresponding fine up to $50. Va. Code, § 5-15-8

 

DRIVING LAW

The vehicle driver approaching a pedestrian who is blind or who has a disability, or in the exercise of reasonable care should know, that the pedestrian is blind because the pedestrian is accompanied by a service animal or otherwise, shall exercise care commensurate with the situation to avoid injuring the pedestrian or the service animal. Va. Code, § 5-15-5

 

LICENSING LAW

Any guide or support dog trained for the purpose that serves as a guide and leader for a blind person, deaf person or a physically or mentally disabled person that causes weakness or inability to perform any function has no head tax impose. As provided by this section the guide or support dogs must be registered. Va. Code, § 19-20-2