Applies to

Guide and Hearing Dogs

Accessibility

“. . . full and equal accommodations, advantages, facilities, and privileges of all common carriers, airplanes, motor vehicles, railroad trains, motor buses, streetcars, boats, or any other public conveyances or modes of transportation in the District of Columbia, hotels, lodging places, places of public accommodation, amusement, or resort, and other places to which the general public is invited in the District of Columbia, subject only to the conditions and limitations established by law or in accordance with law applicable alike to all persons.”

Interference

subject to fine/imprisonment

Housing

“Every blind or deaf person who has a dog guide, or who obtains a dog guide, shall be entitled to full and equal access to all housing accommodations referred to in this section, without being denied access because of the dog guide and required to pay an extra charge for the dog guide; but such blind or deaf person shall be liable for any damage done to the premises by such dog.”

Licenses/Fees

not mentioned

Identification

not mentioned

Misrepresentation

not mentioned

Trainers

not mentioned

White Cane

precautionary statute; White Cane Safety Day is October 15.

Injury to Dog

not mentioned

Penalties

“. . . shall be imprisoned for not longer than 90 days, or fined not more than $300, or both.”

Summary

District of Columbia law requires that a specially trained Assistance Dog be allowed to accompany a blind or deaf person to all public accommodations and common carriers. Extra charges cannot be made due to the presence of the dog, but if the dog causes damage to the premises, the dog user is liable.

Accessibility

7-1002(1981) (see footnote 1)

Interference

7-1007(1972); 7-1002(1981); 7-1005

Housing

7-1006(1981)

White Cane

7-1004 (1981); 7-1008(1973)  

Penalties

7-1007(1972)