Service Animals

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Service Animals and the Washington Law Against Discrimination.pdf

Service_Animals and the ADA -- Q and A.pd.pdf

In summary:  Service animals are allowed, not pets. There are certain questions we can ask to determine if they are a service animal.

Page 3 of first attachment addresses these questions: “a business can ask if the animal is a pet. If the animal is a pet, the business can exclude the animal. If the handler answers that the animal is a service animal, the business can proceed to a second question…”(more on page 3).

 

Per the first attachment:

“RCW 49.60.215 prohibits discrimination in a place of public accommodation due to the “use of a trained dog guide or service animal by a disabled person.” WAC 162-26-130 requires “fair service in a place of public accommodation regardless of the use of a trained dog guide or service animal by a disabled person as well as because of the disability itself.” (Internal quotations omitted.)

Service animals must be allowed into all areas of a place of public accommodation where the general public is allowed – this includes dining and eating areas, restrooms, and areas where food is sold. A place of public accommodation cannot request that the service animal be removed unless it creates a risk of harm. This risk must be actual, and cannot be speculative or based on a fear of dogs. In addition, if an animal exhibits disruptive, poor or unsanitary behavior, it would not be considered a trained service animal, and can be removed.”