2021 Tennessee Code
Title 39 - Criminal Offenses
Chapter 14 - Offenses Against Property
Part 2 - Animals
§ 39-14-216. Service Animals

Learn more This media-neutral citation is based on the American Association of Law Libraries Universal Citation Guide and is not necessarily the official citation.

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    1. As used in this section, “service animal” means:

      1. Any animal that is individually trained, or being trained by an employee or puppy raiser from a recognized training agency or school to do work or perform tasks for the benefit of an individual with a disability, including a physical, sensory, psychiatric, intellectual, or other mental disability; and
      2. Any police dog, fire dog, search and rescue dog, or police horse.

      1. Maim or otherwise inflict harm upon a service animal;
      2. Attempt to maim or otherwise inflict harm upon a service animal; or
      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.

      1. A violation of subsection (b) or (c) is a Class A misdemeanor.
      2. A violation of subsection (d) is a Class C misdemeanor.

      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.
      2. “Restitution,” for purposes of this section, includes:

        1. The value of the service animal if the animal is disabled or can no longer perform service animal duties;
        2. Replacement and training or retraining expenses of the service animal or handler if necessary to restore the animal to service animal capabilities;
        3. Veterinary and other medical and boarding expenses for the service animal;
        4. Medical expenses for the handler; and
        5. Lost wages or income incurred by the handler during any period that the handler is without the services of the service animal.
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