§ 22-364b — Control of dogs in proximity to service animals.

The owner or keeper of a dog shall restrain and control such dog on a leash when such dog is not on the property of its owner or keeper and is in proximity to a person with a disability accompanied by a service animal, provided such service animal is readily identifiable as a service animal, is in the direct custody of such person and is licensed in accordance with section 22-345. Any person who violates the provisions of this section shall have committed an infraction. If an owner or keeper of a dog violates the provisions of this section and, as a result of such violation, such dog attacks and injures the service animal, such owner, keeper, or both, shall be liable, as provided in section 22-357, for any damage done to such service animal, and such liability shall include liability for any costs incurred by such person with a disability for the veterinary care, rehabilitation or replacement of the injured service animal and for reasonable attorney's fees. As used in this section, “disability” and “service animal” have the same meanings as provided in section 22-345.

Legislative History

(P.A. 96-243, S. 9, 16; P.A. 98-61, S. 1; P.A. 23-17, S. 9; P.A. 24-18, S. 10; 24-108, S. 41.) History: P.A. 96-243 effective June 6, 1996; P.A. 98-61 added provision re the liability of the owner or keeper of a dog that attacks and injures a guide dog and the extent of such liability; P.A. 23-17 changed references from blind, deaf or mobility impaired person to person with a disability, changed references from guide dog to service animal, added provision re service animal to be readily identifiable as a service animal and deleted provision re service animal wearing a harness or orange-colored leash and collar, effective June 7, 2023; P.A. 24-18 replaced “costs incurred by such person” with “costs incurred by such person with a disability” and defined “disability” and “service animal”, effective July 1, 2024; P.A. 24-108 replaced “the owner or keeper” with “the owner, keeper, or both,” re liability for damage done by dog.