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Utah statute

Utah Code Ann. § 76-13-211 — Injuring, harassing, or endangering a service animal.

Current through 2026 General Session

Part of Part 2: Cruelty to Animal Offenses, Utah Code.

Criminal charges under this statute

Full text of Utah Code Ann. § 76-13-211

Statutory text current through the 2026 General Session. This publication reproduces the official statutory text; it is not the official statutes of the State of Utah.

Utah Code Ann. § 76-13-211Primary source, current through the 2026 General Session
(1)(a) As used in this section: (1)(a)(i) "Disability" means the same as that term is defined in Section 26B-6-801. (1)(a)(ii) "Search and rescue dog" means a dog: (1)(a)(ii)(A) with documented training to locate individuals who are: (1)(a)(ii)(A)(I) lost, missing, or injured; or (1)(a)(ii)(A)(II) trapped under debris as the result of a natural or man-made event; and (1)(a)(ii)(B) affiliated with an established search and rescue dog organization. (1)(a)(iii) "Service animal" means: (1)(a)(iii)(A) a service animal as that term is defined in Section 26B-6-801; or (1)(a)(iii)(B) a search and rescue dog. (1)(b) Terms defined in Sections 76-1-101.5, 76-13-101, and 76-13-201 apply to this section. (2) An actor commits injuring, harassing, or endangering a service animal if the actor: (2)(a) knowingly, intentionally, or recklessly causes substantial bodily injury or death to a service animal; (2)(b) owns, keeps, harbors, or exercises control over an animal and knowingly, intentionally, or recklessly fails to exercise sufficient control over the animal to prevent the animal from: (2)(b)(i) causing substantial bodily injury to or the death of a service animal; (2)(b)(ii) causing a service animal's subsequent inability to function as a service animal as a result of the animal's attacking, chasing, or harassing the service animal; or (2)(b)(iii) chasing or harassing a service animal while the service animal is carrying out the service animal's functions as a service animal, to the extent that the animal temporarily interferes with the service animal's ability to carry out the service animal's functions; or (2)(c) chases or harasses a service animal. (3)(a) A violation of Subsection (2)(a), (2)(b)(i), or (2)(b)(ii) is a class A misdemeanor. (3)(b) A violation of Subsection (2)(b)(iii) or (2)(c) is a class B misdemeanor. (4)(a) A service animal is exempt from quarantine or other animal control ordinances if the service animal bites an individual while the service animal is subject to an offense under Subsection (2). (4)(b) The owner of the service animal or the individual with a disability whom the service animal serves shall make the service animal available for examination at a reasonable time and shall notify the local health officer if the service animal exhibits any abnormal behavior. (5) In addition to any other penalty, an actor convicted of a violation of this section is liable for restitution to the owner of the service animal or the individual with a disability whom the service animal serves for the replacement, training, and veterinary costs incurred as a result of the violation of this section. (6) If the act committed under this section amounts to an offense subject to a greater penalty under another provision of this title, than is provided under this section, this section does not prohibit prosecution and sentencing for the more serious offense.

Official sources

Legal terms used in this section

Questions this section answers

Is injuring, harassing, or endangering a service animal a felony or a misdemeanor in Utah?

It depends on the circumstances: injuring, harassing, or endangering a service animal ranges from a Class B Misdemeanor to a Class A Misdemeanor in Utah under Utah Code Ann. § 76-13-211.

Causing substantial bodily injury or death to a service animal / failure to control resulting in same: Class A Misdemeanor (Utah Code Ann. § 76-13-211(3)(a)) · Failure to control animal causing temporary interference, or chasing/harassing a service animal: Class B Misdemeanor (Utah Code Ann. § 76-13-211(3)(b))

Which Utah statute covers injuring, harassing, or endangering a service animal?

Injuring, harassing, or endangering a service animal is governed by Utah Code Ann. § 76-13-211 (Injuring, harassing, or endangering a service animal).

This reference is informational and is not legal advice.