Header image with the text that reads Nyxks Musings the i in the text is heart shaped with in the backgroud behind the text a silloet of a poodle standing up and appearing to touch part of the I while the rest of the body is behind the N.

My thoughts on living with Invisible Disabilities, my Service Dog, my general Life, with Reviews, Articles, and more

Protections for Service Dogs under Ontario Animal Welfare Laws

This act also protects Service Dogs thus there is now on the books an actual fine for those who harm a service dog on or off duty.

Service animals are protected under section 17:

“17 No person shall cause harm, or attempt to cause harm, to an animal that works with peace officers in the execution of their duties, or to a service animal, whether or not the animal is working at the time of the harm.”

under section 49 it is considered a “major offense” to injure a service animal. An individual who harms a service animal is subject to a fine of not less than 25 000$ dollars, and not more than 130 000$ and/or 2 years in prison for the first offense, under section 49 (4) and (7).

allowing an animal to injure a service animal would likely fall under section 15 (3), which is:

“(3) No person shall knowingly or recklessly cause an animal to be exposed to an undue risk of distress.”

Distress includes injury and harm. A person who is not adequately controlling a dangerous or aggressive dog is recklessly endangering a service animal.

Animal Welfare n Service Dog Protection – Ontario Law

Comments

comments