Companion Animal Laws in California
In California, there are rules set to regulate the use of a companion animal in different places. For example, the law requires public places to admit psychiatric service dogs and other emotional
support animals in different public places, such as at work.
If you are disabled, the law allows you to go with your help animal to public places and relax. If you have been prevented from accessing a public utility due to having an animal companion, you can decide to use and those who are denying you your right can be fined. You need a
qualified lawyer for you to know whether rights have been violated.
Some of the things you need to know about the law include the following:
Laws in California Protecting Companion Animals
There are several factors which determine on how the law can be applied. For instance, it depends on the kind of animal involved. How the animal helps the person involved also matters. The place involved or the setting where you need to have your assistance animal will also determine the way the law can be applied.
What is a Service Dog?
A service dog is trained to help a disabled person in performing tasks such as picking dropped items, protecting the disabled person, pulling a wheel chair or even offering minimal protection to the involved person. The animals which can qualify under this law are only dog species. This is simply because they are the only animals which can be trained to offer these helpful services.
What is “Psychiatric” Service Dog?
The law defines a psychiatric dog as an animal which has special training to offer a mentally challenged person some kind of help. The service dog is offered the same treatment under the law just like any other service dog which can offer people with a disability some form of help.
Tasks which service dogs can perform:
- Coaxing people with depression out of bed at specific times
- Responding to people panic attacks
- Alerting people with poor judgment of danger
What is an Emotional Support Animal?
The dog has no training to offer some form of help to the affected individual. The individual draws some form of satisfaction from the dog by simply looking at it or spending time together.
How The Law Protects Companion Animals
The law in California offers the dog’s full access to all public places so that they can assist their owners. It is necessary to check out the law or seek advice from a lawyer for you to know your rights pertaining your service dog in the workplace.
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