Source: https://www.animallaw.info/statute/tn-assistance-animal-assistance-animalguide-dog-laws
Timestamp: 2019-04-24 18:30:52+00:00

Document:
West's Tennessee Code Annotated. Title 39. Criminal Offenses. Chapter 14. Offenses Against Property. Part 2. Animals.
Title 62. Professions, Businesses and Trades. Chapter 7. Hotels and Places of Public Accommodation.
West's Tennessee Code Annotated. Title 66. Property. Chapter 7. Leases.
Title 39. Criminal Offenses. Chapter 14. Offenses Against Property. Part 2. Animals.
A person who intentionally or knowingly unlawfully injures the guide dog of another and, thereby, permanently deprives the owner of the use of the guide dog's services commits theft of that animal and shall be punished under § 39-14-105. In determining the value of the guide dog for purposes of § 39-14-105, the court shall consider the value of the guide dog as both the cost of the dog as well as the cost of any specialized training the guide dog received.
2004 Pub.Acts, c. 957, § 2, eff. June 15, 2004.
(a) A person commits aggravated cruelty to animals when, with aggravated cruelty and with no justifiable purpose, the person intentionally kills or intentionally causes serious physical injury to a companion animal.
(4) “Minor” means any person under eighteen (18) years of age.
(13) Applying methods and equipment used to train animals.
(d) Aggravated cruelty to animals is a Class E felony.
(e) In addition to the penalty imposed by subsection (d), the sentencing court may order the defendant to surrender custody and forfeit all companion animals as defined in subdivision (b)(2), and may award custody of the animals to the agency presenting the case. The court may prohibit the defendant from having custody of other animals for any period of time the court determines to be reasonable, or impose any other reasonable restrictions on the person's custody of animals as is necessary for the protection of the animals.
(f) In addition to the penalty imposed by subsection (d), the court may require the defendant to undergo psychological evaluation and counseling, the cost to be borne by the defendant. If the defendant is indigent, the court may, where practicable, direct the defendant to locate and enroll in a counseling or treatment program with an appropriate agency.
(g) If a defendant convicted of a violation of this section resides in a household with minor children or elderly individuals, the court may, within fifteen (15) days, send notification of the conviction to the appropriate protective agencies.
(h) In addition to the penalty imposed by subsection (d), the defendant may be held liable to the impounding officer or agency for all costs of impoundment from the time of seizure to the time of proper disposition of the case.
(i)(1) In addition to the penalty imposed by subsection (d), the defendant may be held liable to the owner of the animal for damages.
(2) If an unlawful act resulted in the death or permanent disability of a person's guide dog, then the value of the guide dog shall include, but shall not necessarily be limited to, both the cost of the guide dog as well as the cost of any specialized training the guide dog received.
(j) If a juvenile is found to be within the court's jurisdiction, for conduct that, if committed by an adult, would be a criminal violation involving cruelty to animals or would be a criminal violation involving arson, then the court may order that the juvenile be evaluated to determine the need for psychiatric or psychological treatment. If the court determines that psychiatric or psychological treatment is appropriate for that juvenile, then the court may order that treatment.
(k) This section does not preclude the court from entering any other order of disposition allowed under this chapter.
2002 Pub.Acts, c. 858, §§ 1, 2; 2004 Pub.Acts, c. 920, § 1, eff. July 1, 2004; 2004 Pub.Acts, c. 940, § 5, eff. June 15, 2004; 2004 Pub.Acts, c. 957, § 4, eff. June 15, 2004.
(B) Any police dog, fire dog, search and rescue dog, or police horse.
(2) Other species of animals not specified in this subsection, whether wild or domestic, trained or untrained, are not service animals for the purposes of this definition.
(3) For purposes of a service animal as defined under subdivision (a)(1)(A), the work or tasks performed by the service animal must be directly related to the handler's disability. Examples of work or tasks include, but are not limited to, assisting individuals who are blind or have low vision with navigation and other tasks, alerting individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing to the presence of people or sounds, providing non-violent protection or rescue work, pulling a wheelchair, assisting an individual during a seizure, alerting individuals to the presence of allergens, retrieving items such as medicine or the telephone, providing physical support and assistance with balance and stability to individuals with mobility disabilities, and helping persons with psychiatric and neurological disabilities by preventing or interrupting impulsive or destructive behaviors. The crime deterrent effects of the animal's presence and the provision of emotional support, well-being, comfort, or companionship do not constitute work or tasks for the purposes of subdivision (a)(1)(A).
(3) Permit an animal that the person owns or is in the immediate control of to maim or otherwise inflict harm upon a service animal.
(c) It is an offense to recklessly maim or otherwise inflict harm upon a service animal or permit an animal that the person owns or is in the immediate control of to maim or otherwise inflict harm upon a service animal.
(d) It is an offense to knowingly interfere with a service animal in the performance of its duties, or permit an animal that the person owns or is in control of to interfere with a service animal in the performance of its duties.
(e)(1) A violation of subsection (b) or (c) is a Class A misdemeanor.
(2) A violation of subsection (d) is a Class C misdemeanor.
(f)(1) In addition to any other penalty provided by this section, a person convicted of a violation of subsection (b), (c) or (d) shall be ordered by the court to make full restitution for all damages that arise out of or are related to the offense, including incidental and consequential damages incurred by the service animal's handler or the recognized training agency or school.
(E) Lost wages or income incurred by the handler during any period that the handler is without the services of the service animal.
(g) If the violation of this section involves a guide dog and the offense results in injury to the dog that permanently deprives the owner of the use of the guide dog's services, nothing in this section shall preclude prosecution and conviction for such conduct under § 39-14-208.
2012 Pub.Acts, c. 910, § 1, eff. July 1, 2012.
(a)(1) If a person's pet is killed or sustains injuries that result in death caused by the unlawful and intentional, or negligent, act of another or the animal of another, the trier of fact may find the individual causing the death or the owner of the animal causing the death liable for up to five thousand dollars ($5,000) in noneconomic damages; provided, that if the death is caused by the negligent act of another, the death or fatal injury must occur on the property of the deceased pet's owner or caretaker, or while under the control and supervision of the deceased pet's owner or caretaker.
(b) As used in this section, “pet” means any domesticated dog or cat normally maintained in or near the household of its owner.
(c) Limits for noneconomic damages set out in subsection (a) shall not apply to causes of action for intentional infliction of emotional distress or any other civil action other than the direct and sole loss of a pet.
(d) Noneconomic damages awarded pursuant to this section shall be limited to compensation for the loss of the reasonably expected society, companionship, love and affection of the pet.
(e) This section shall not apply to any not-for-profit entity or governmental agency, or its employees, negligently causing the death of a pet while acting on the behalf of public health or animal welfare; to any killing of a dog that has been or was killing or worrying livestock as in § 44-17-203; nor shall this section be construed to authorize any award of noneconomic damages in an action for professional negligence against a licensed veterinarian.
2000 Pub.Acts, c. 762, § 1; 2004 Pub.Acts, c. 940, § 4, eff. June 15, 2004; 2004 Pub.Acts, c. 957, §§ 5 to 7, eff. June 15, 2004.
2004 Pub.Acts, c. 957, § 3, eff. June 15, 2004.
(a) Whenever any pedestrian guided by a guide dog or dog on a blaze orange leash, or carrying in any raised or extended position a cane or similar stick white in color or white tipped with red, shall undertake to cross any public street or thoroughfare in this state, the driver of each and every vehicle approaching that pedestrian carrying the cane or stick or conducted by such dog shall bring such vehicle to a complete stop and before proceeding shall take all precautions necessary to avoid injuring the pedestrian; provided, that nothing in this section shall be construed as making any person totally or partially blind or otherwise incapacitated guilty of contributory negligence in undertaking to cross any street or thoroughfare without being guided by a trained dog or carrying a cane or stick of the type specified in subsection (a).
1951 Pub.Acts, c. 72, § 2; 1980 Pub.Acts, c. 488, § 2; 1989 Pub.Acts, c. 591, § 113.
(a)(1) No proprietor, employee or other person in charge of any place of public accommodation, amusement or recreation, including, but not limited to, any inn, hotel, restaurant, eating house, barber shop, billiard parlor, store, public conveyance on land or water, theater, motion picture house, public educational institution or elevator, shall refuse to permit a blind, physically disabled or deaf or hard of hearing person to enter the place or to make use of the accommodations provided when the accommodations are available, for the reason that the blind, physically disabled or deaf or hard of hearing person is being led or accompanied by a dog guide. A dog guide shall be under the control of its handler. A place of public accommodation shall not require documentation, such as proof that the animal has been certified, trained or licensed as a dog guide.
(2)(A) No proprietor, employee or other person in charge of any place of public accommodation, amusement or recreation, including, but not limited to, any inn, hotel, restaurant, eating house, barber shop, billiard parlor, store, public conveyance on land or water, theater, motion picture house, public educational institution or elevator, shall refuse to permit a dog guide trainer to enter such place or to make use of the accommodations provided in those places, when the accommodations are available, for the reason that the dog guide trainer is being led or accompanied by a dog guide in training; provided, that the dog guide in training, when led or accompanied by a dog guide trainer, is wearing a harness and is held on a leash by the dog guide trainer or, when led or accompanied by a dog guide trainer, is held on a leash by the dog guide trainer; and provided, further, that the dog guide trainer shall first have presented for inspection credentials issued by an accredited school for training dog guides.
(b) Wearing a collar, leash or other appropriate apparel or device that identifies the dog with the accredited school for which it is being raised.
(ii) “Dog guide in training” also includes the socialization process that occurs with the dog's trainer or raiser prior to the dog's advanced training; provided, that the socialization process is under the authorization of an accredited school.
(B) The dog guide or dog guide in training is not housebroken.
1955 Pub.Acts, c. 1, §§ 1, 2; 1980 Pub.Acts, c. 488, § 3; 1982 Pub.Acts, c. 748, § 1; 1984 Pub.Acts, c. 612, § 1; 1989 Pub.Acts, c. 591, § 113; 1996 Pub.Acts, c. 668, § 1, eff. March 22, 1996; 2001 Pub.Acts, c. 174, § 13, eff. July 1, 2001; 2003 Pub.Acts, c. 123, § 1, eff. May 13, 2003; 2013 Pub.Acts, c. 69, § 1, eff. July 1, 2013.
(a) Totally or partially blind persons and other physically disabled persons shall be entitled to full and equal access, as other members of the general public, to all housing accommodations offered for rent, lease or compensation in this state, subject to the conditions and limitations established by law and applicable to all persons.
(b) “Housing accommodations” means any real property or portion thereof which is used to occupy or is intended, arranged or designed to be used or occupied, as the home, residence or sleeping place of one (1) or more human beings, but does not include any single family residence, the occupants of which rent, lease or furnish for compensation not more than one (1) room in the residence.
(c)(1) Nothing in this section shall require any person renting, leasing, or providing for compensation any real property to modify such property in any way or manner or to provide a higher degree of care for a totally blind or partially blind person or other physically disabled person than for a person who is not blind or disabled.
(2)(A) Notwithstanding subdivision (c)(1), any person renting, leasing, or providing for compensation any real property that is three (3) or more stories tall shall give priority in access to housing units on floors one (1) and two (2) of such property to physically disabled persons whose disability would prevent such persons from having reasonable access to units located on higher floors; provided, that the person shall not be required to seek out physically disabled occupants or forego occupancy of the unit for any period of time if a physically disabled occupant is not available. Nothing in this subdivision (c)(2) shall prevent the lessor from using or applying other factors in determining whether or not to rent to a disabled person.
(B) A violation of subdivision (c)(2)(A) is a Class C misdemeanor punishable only by a fine not to exceed fifty dollars ($50.00).
(d) Every totally blind or partially blind person who has a guide dog, or who obtains a guide dog, shall be entitled to full and equal access to all housing accommodations included within subsection (a) or any accommodations provided for in §§ 71-4-201, 71-4-202 and this section, and such person shall not be required to pay extra compensation for such guide dog, but shall be liable for any damages done to the premises by such animal.
1972 Pub.Acts, c. 480, § 3; 2005 Pub.Acts, c. 215, § 1, eff. May 27, 2005.
(a) Any legally blind person in this state whose loss of sight necessitates a guide dog for mobility purposes, which has been obtained from a recognized school of training for such purposes, may not be denied the right to lease an apartment or other types of dwellings as a consequence of having a guide dog.
(b) Because the guide dog is essential to the mobility of its master, no deposit may be required to be paid, with respect to the dog, by the legally blind person to the owner, manager, landlord or agent of any such attendance.
(c) No restrictions may be imposed upon the legally blind person regarding the whereabouts of the animal so long as its master is in attendance.
(d) Any owner, manager, landlord or agent who refuses to lease living space to any legally blind person because of a guide dog, or violates a provision of this section, commits a Class C misdemeanor.
1982 Pub.Acts, c. 951, § 1; 1989 Pub.Acts, c. 591, § 113.
(a)(1) Except as otherwise provided in subsection (b), if there is a material noncompliance by the tenant with the rental agreement or a noncompliance with § 66-28-401 materially affecting health and safety, the landlord may deliver a written notice to the tenant specifying the acts and omissions constituting the breach and that the rental agreement shall terminate as provided in subdivisions (a)(2) or (a)(3).
(B) If substantially the same act or omission which constituted a prior noncompliance of which notice was given recurs within six (6) months, the landlord may terminate the rental agreement upon at least seven (7) days' written notice specifying the breach and the date of termination of the rental agreement.
(3) If the breach for which notice was given in subdivision (a)(1) is not remediable by the payment of rent, the cost of repairs, damages, or any other amount due to the landlord pursuant to the rental agreement, the landlord may inform the tenant that the rental agreement shall terminate upon a date not less than fourteen (14) days after receipt of the notice.
(4) Nothing in subdivision (a)(2) or (a)(3) shall be construed as requiring a landlord to provide additional notice to the tenant other than the notice required by this section.
(b) Notwithstanding subsection (a), if the tenant waives any notice required by this section, the landlord may proceed to file a detainer warrant immediately upon breach of the agreement for failure to pay rent without the landlord providing notice of such breach to the tenant; provided, however, that this subsection (b) shall not reduce the tenant's grace period as provided in § 66-28-201. The tenant's waiver pursuant to this subsection (b) shall be set out in twelve (12) point bold font or larger in the rental agreement.
(c) Notwithstanding notice of a breach or the filing of a detainer warrant pursuant to this section, the rental agreement is enforceable by the landlord for the collection of rent for the remaining term of the rental agreement.
(d) Except as otherwise provided in this chapter, the landlord may recover damages and obtain injunctive relief for any noncompliance by the tenant with the rental agreement or § 66-28-401. The landlord may recover reasonable attorney's fees for breach of contract and nonpayment of rent as provided in the rental agreement.
(e) The landlord may recover punitive damages from the tenant for willful destruction of property caused by the tenant or by any other person on the premises with the tenant's consent.
(f) It is deemed to be material noncompliance by the tenant with the rental agreement, if the tenant pretends to have a disability-related need for an assistance animal in order to obtain an exception to a provision in a rental agreement that prohibits pets or establishes limits on the types of pets that tenants may possess on residential rental property. As used in this subsection (f), “assistance animal” means an animal that works, provides assistance, or performs tasks for the benefit of a person with a disability, or provides emotional support that alleviates one (1) or more identified symptoms or effects of a person's disability.
1975 Pub.Acts, c. 245, § 4.201; 2011 Pub.Acts, c. 272, § 11, eff. Oct. 1, 2011; 2014 Pub.Acts, c. 593, §§ 1 to 3, eff. March 28, 2014; 2018 Pub.Acts, c. 960, § 2, eff. July 1, 2018.

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