IDAHO

Idaho Code, Title 56, Chapter 7, Sections 56-701 through 56-707, amended 1984; Title 58, Chapter 58, Sections 18-5811, 18-5812. Idaho Statutory law guarantees a blind person the legal right to be accompanied by a specially trained dog guide in all public accommodations and on all common carriers. No extra charge can be levied because of the dog's presence, but the dog guide user is liable for any property damage the dog might cause. A blind person also has a legal right to equal employment opportunity in state service or in the service of the political subdivisions, including public schools, and in all other employment supported in whole or part by public funds. (Sect. 56-707) Public accommodations include hotels, lodging places, restaurants, stores, places of resort and amusement, and all other places to which the public is invited. (Sect. 56-703) Common carriers include airplanes, buses, trains, taxis, boats, and all other modes of transportation offered for public use. (Sect. 56-703, 56-704) Any person whose intentional act startles, frightens or causes injury to a disabled person or assistance dog is guilty of a misdemeanor. (Sect. 18-5811(1)(a)-(b)) Any person who, without justification, intentionally interferes with the use of an assistance dog by obstructing, battering or intimidating the user or dog, is guilty of a misdemeanor. (Sect. 18-5811(2)) Any person who permits any animal, which is owned, harbored or controlled by him to cause injury to or the death of any assistance dog or dog-in-training, is guilty of a misdemeanor. (Sect. 18-5812) Violation: Any person, firm, corporation or agent thereof who interferes with the above enumerated rights is guilty of a misdemeanor and punishable accordingly. (Sect. 56-706)