The Rights and Responsibilities of Businesses and the Public

You must take reasonable steps to accommodate people with disabilities. This includes people with guide dogs and service dogs.

A person with a disability who uses a guide dog or service dog should not be stopped or questioned unless there is a concern. The best way to recognize a guide or service dog is by observing the behaviour of the dog and handler.

Like anyone acting inappropriately, a person may be refused access or asked to leave if they or their guide or service dog is disruptive.

The Guide Dog and Service Dog Act makes it an offence to deny a certified dog and handler team access or accommodation. A person convicted of the offence faces a fine of up to $3,000.

Handlers who believe they have been wrongly denied access or accommodation may submit a Complaint Form to Security Programs or contact the BC Human Right Tribunal.

For more information about the rights of people with disabilities, see: 

• Rights of Certified Dog & Handler Teams 
• Human Rights Protection
• Protections for people with disabilities who require a guide or service dog: What you need to know
• Public Information to Support Accessibility for People with Disabilities Who Use a Guide or Service Dog

Certified Retired Guide and Service Dogs

Retired guide and service dogs may continue to live with their handlers and are issued a separate certificate.

Certified retired dogs do not have access to restaurants, buses, hotels or other public places granted to working guide dogs and service dogs under the Guide Dog and Service Dog Act.

However, certification permits them to continue living with their handlers regardless of strata bylaws or rental conditions prohibiting pets.

Making Complaints and Reporting Offences

To make a complaint about the behaviour of a certified dog and handler team or to report that a dog was represented as a member of a certified team when it was not, submit a Complaint Form to Security Programs.