What restrictions may public accommodations place on service animals?

• A. They may require documentation or proof of disability to allow a service animal.
• B. They may ask only that the animal be well-behaved but not about disability or control.
• C. They may ask if the animal is a service animal required because of a disability and if it is under control; they cannot require documentation or proof of disability; they may remove an animal that is not under control or poses a direct threat or causes damage.
• D. They can refuse any service animal if the animal is not a registered service animal.

Answer: (C)

Public accommodations are allowed to ask only two things about a service animal: whether the animal is required because of a disability, and whether the animal is under the handler’s control. They cannot ask about the person’s disability, nor can they require documentation or proof of disability. They also cannot require that the animal be a registered service animal.

They may require the service animal to be under control and, if it is out of control or poses a direct threat or causes damage, they may ask the handler to remove it. This combination protects the person’s access rights while giving the business a clear basis to ensure safety and order.