LEWISTON — Councilors could move to ban pets from city offices and facilities, adopting a policy to allow service animals.
City Administrator Ed Barrett said it’s a distinction that’s becoming more important.
“From time to time, we’ve had requests from city staff — particularly at the library and for elections — for some guidance regarding service animals,” Barrett said.
State law and the federal Americans with Disabilities Act allow service animals in city buildings and facilities. Those are animals trained to help people with disabilities.
They include seeing-eye dogs and miniature horses, hearing dogs and service dogs that perform tasks such as opening doors and ringing bells. It also includes dogs trained to respond to seizures and medical situations.
The new city policy sets behavior standards for the animals and distinguishes trained service animals from pets kept for companionship or simple pleasure.
The policy does not include animals that provide emotional support.
“We have not had a policy prohibiting pets from the city building, so that’s what this does — unless they are service animals,” Barrett said.
Councilors will vote on the new policy at their next meeting.
It requires the animals be leashed at all times, unless the leash interferes with the animal’s job. In that case, the animal still must be under the handler’s strict control.
Service animals cannot bark repeatedly and must have up-to-date vaccinations and registrations.
The new policy would also make a distinction between a service animal and handler team, and service animal-in-training and trainer. ADA rules do not provide access to animals-in-training.
City staff could only ask handlers if the animal is required and what tasks it does unless it obvious — a dog leading a blind person, for example. Staff cannot ask other questions or demand IDs or documentation. Staff would not be allowed to bar the animals because of their own fears or because of allergies, according to the proposed policy.
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