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RHODE ISLAND


Rhode Island Statutes, 1975, Chapter 9.1, Sections 31-18-14, 39-2-13, 40-9.1-1, 40-9.1-2, and 40-9.1-3, amended 1990; Chapter 13, Sections 4-13-16.1 Rhode Island statutes guarantee a blind person the legal right to be accompanied by a specially trained dog guide in all public accommodations and on all public transportation. No extra charge can be levied because of the dog's presence, but the dog guide user is liable for any damages the dog might cause to the premises. Public accommodations include hotels, restaurants, stores, places of resort and amusement, and all other places to which the public is invited.
(Sect. 40-9.1-1, Sect. 40-9.1-2) Any dog guide may enter any public facility if the dog is clearly identified as such by a yellow harness and trained by a recognized training school. (Sect. 39-2-13) Public transportation include, buses, trains, airplanes, taxis, elevators, and all other modes of conveyances offered for public use. (Sect. 40-9.1-1, Sect. 40-9.1-2) Vehicles will yield the right-of-way to a pedestrian with a dog guide. (Sect. 31-18-14) Violation: Any person who interferes with the above-enumerated rights is subject to a fine not to exceed $500 upon conviction. (Sect 40-9.1-3) The owner or keeper of a dog which kills or bites a dog guide or bites its blind owner, will be liable to the blind person aggrieved for double all damages sustained, to be recovered in a civil action with the costs of the suit. (Sect. 4-13-16.1)


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