Manitoba
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Manitoba Disabilities Issues Office

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The Service Animal Protections Act Announcement

persons with a disability on the legislative staircase with their guide dogs

The Disabilities Issues Office is pleased to announce that on October 8, 2009, a new law was passed by Manitoba’s Legislature to protect Manitoba guide dogs and other service animals, such as search-and-rescue dogs. The Service Animals Protection Act  makes it a criminal offence to interfere with service animals or to allow other animals to do so without consent.

With the passing of this Act, Manitoba has become the first province in Canada to have specific legislation dealing with the interference with service animals. We hope that this new legislation draws attention to the value of the work done by these animals and the serious impact of interference with a service animal team.

We encourage you to share the news through newsletters and other correspondence to members of your disability-related organizations and agencies. For more information, please see the Press Release from June 8, 2009.