There are rules barring dogs from restaurants, public transit and other businesses, but service dogs are exempt and their users are protected by law in the western province of British Columbia. Now the provincial government is raising fines for those who bar service dogs from $250 to a maximum of $3,000.
Service dogs are not only used by people who are blind. They may help veterans suffering PTSD, people with anxiety or other mental or physical disorders. They can even detect the onset of epileptic episodes.
Landlords will not be allowed to refuse to rent to people who have service dogs even if the animal retired or injured and can no longer work.
To protect the public, the law will issue standardized identification cards for certified dogs and they will have to meet a new training standard to ensure they are well-behaved.
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