6.4 Sheriff Dogs

In this context, a sheriff dog refers to a dog that may be present in the courtroom or the courthouse for the role they fill for the sheriff’s department. The department typically uses dogs to detect drugs, explosives, or other public safety threats. These dogs are not present for the benefit of individuals with disabilities and due to their training cannot be utilized as such. If it is suggested that these dogs can be used in place of a service or emotional support animal, you should educate the court about what the service or emotional support animal provides for the individual with disabilities and point out that a sheriff’s dog cannot fill that role.

In a few courts, a service animal has been denied entry to the building because the sheriff dog was present. In at least one instance, court personnel suggested that the sheriff dog could fill the role of the service animal. This situation arose due to a lack of understanding of what the service animal was for and what function the service animal performed. While this particular suggestion is unusual, it is is important to be aware as it demonstrates some of the incorrect ideas many individuals may have about service animals. A sheriff dog does not replace the functions that a service dog performs. Further, the presence of a sheriff dog in the building should not prevent the entry of a service dog without a showing that one or both animals will be at serious risk of harm due to a lack of training or other reason.