(a) As used in this section, 'service animal' means an animal that a person who is impaired by:(1) blindness or any other visual impairment;(2) deafness or any other aural impairment;(3) a physical disability; or(4) a medical condition;relies on for navigation, assistance in performing daily activities, or alert signals regarding the onset of the person's medical condition.(b) A person who knowingly or intentionally:(1) interferes with the actions of a service animal; or(2) strikes, torments, injures, or otherwise mistreats a service animal;while the service animal is engaged in assisting an impaired person described in subsection (a) commits a Class A misdemeanor.(c) An offense under subsection (b)(2) is a Level 6 felony if the act results in the:(1) serious permanent disfigurement;(2) unconsciousness;(3) permanent or protracted loss or impairment of the function of a bodily member or organ; or(4) death;of the service animal.(d) It is a defense that the accused person:(1) engaged in a reasonable act of training, handling, or disciplining the service animal; or(2) reasonably believed the conduct was necessary to prevent injury to the accused person or another person.As engaged in a reasonable act of training, handling, or disciplining the service animal; or(2) reasonably believed the conduct was necessary to prevent injury to the accused person or another person.As added by P.L.143-1996, SEC.2. Amended by P.L.9-2003, SEC.4; P.L.158-2013, SEC.565.
Indiana Legal Code