Service Dog Legislation Enacted in Nebraska

by Sherry Morse

Nebraska Governor Mike Johanns recently signed into law a bill stating that individuals who have disabilities may be accompanied by service dogs in all "places to which the general public is invited...without being required to pay an extra charge."

The legislation, which specifically refers to "totally or partially blind," "deaf or hard of hearing" and "physically disabled" persons, also applies to any "bona fide trainer" of service dogs if the animal is in training.

Under the new law, an individual who prevents a person making valid use of a service animal from being admitted to or enjoying public facilities is guilty of a Class III misdemeanor and therefore subject to imprisonment for as many as three months and being required to pay a fine of as much as $500.

"The federal Americans with Disabilities Act, which became law in 1991, was a big step in the right direction in terms of ensuring that people who make use of service animals have access to all public places," said New York City-based dog trainer Bob Kesslin. "The law enacted in Nebraska just provides an additional guarantee."

© 2003 Animal News Center, Inc.