Indiana Service Dog Laws

Definitions

Under public accommodations law:

“Service animal” refers to an animal trained as:

1. a hearing animal;
2. a guide animal;
3. an assistance animal;
4. a seizure alert animal;
5. a mobility animal;
6. a psychiatric service animal; or
7. an autism service animal.

I.C. 16-32-3-1.5

Under Interference/mistreatment of service animal law:

“Service animal” means an animal that a person who is impaired by:

1. blindness or any other visual impairment;
2. deafness or any other aural impairment;
3. a physical disability; or
4. a medical condition;

relies on for navigation, assistance in performing daily activities, or alert signals regarding the onset of the person’s medical condition.

I.C. 35-46-3-11.5

Accommodation Law

Place of public accommodation commits Class C infraction if:

• refuses access to a public accommodation
• charges a fee for access to a public accommodation

to person using service dog/service animal trainer

I.C. 16-32-3-2

A person renting, leasing, or providing real property for compensation shall not refuse to accept a person with a disability as a tenant due to the fact that the person with a disability has a guide dog that assists the person with a disability in overcoming a particular disability.

I.C. 22-9-6-5

A voter who requires the assistance of a service animal is entitled to bring the animal into the polls and the voting booth.

I.C. 3-11-9-5

A voter who requires the assistance of a service animal is entitled to bring the animal into the polls and the voting booth.

I.C. 3-11-9-5

Harassment of/Interference with Service Dogs

A person who knowingly or intentionally:

• interferes with the actions of a service animal; or
• strikes, torments, injures, or otherwise mistreats a service animal;

while the service animal is engaged in assisting an impaired person commits a Class A misdemeanor.

Level 6 felony if the act results in the serious permanent disfigurement; unconsciousness; permanent or protracted loss or impairment of the function of a bodily member or organ; or death of the service animal.

I.C. 35-46-3-11.5

Driving Law

A person who drives a vehicle shall yield the right-of-way to a blind pedestrian carrying a clearly visible white cane or accompanied by a guide dog.

I.C. 9-21-17-21

A person not totally blind who:

1. approaches a totally or partially blind pedestrian carrying a cane predominantly white or metallic in color, with or without a red tip, or using a service animal; and
2. fails to take all necessary precautions to avoid injury to the blind pedestrian

commits a Class C infraction.

I.C. 16-32-3-3