Superseded 7/1/2026
485 words·~2 min read·
/ut/title-76/chapter-13/7A research copy — for the controlling text, always check the official state or federal source. Not legal advice.
Effective 5/7/2025
Superseded 7/1/2026
76-13-211. Injuring, harassing, or endangering a service animal.
(a)As used in this section:
(i)"Disability" means the same as that term is defined in Section 26B-6-801 .
(ii)"Search and rescue dog" means a dog:
(A)with documented training to locate individuals who are:
(I)lost, missing, or injured; or
(II)trapped under debris as the result of a natural or man-made event; and
(B)affiliated with an established search and rescue dog organization.
(iii)"Service animal" means:
(A)a service animal as that term is defined in Section 26B-6-801 ; or
(B)a search and rescue dog.
(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:
(a)knowingly, intentionally, or recklessly causes substantial bodily injury or death to a service animal;
(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:
(i)causing substantial bodily injury to or the death of a service animal;
(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
(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
(c)chases or harasses a service animal.
(a)A violation of Subsection (2)(a) , (2)(b)(i), or (2)(b)(ii) is a class A misdemeanor.
(b)A violation of Subsection (2)(b)(iii) or (2)(c) is a class B misdemeanor.
(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).
(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 Title 76, Utah Criminal Code , than is provided under this section, this section does not prohibit prosecution and sentencing for the more serious offense.
Renumbered and Amended by Chapter 173 , 2025 General Session