Can you take your dog into a grocery store in North Carolina? Here’s what state law says

Service dogs are allowed in grocery stores, according to North Carolina law.Photo bypsychdogpartners

While dogs are welcome in many public spaces, including bars, breweries, restaurants, and certain retail stores in Charlotte, North Carolina, grocery stores are generally off-limits to them unless they are service animals.

Here's what you need to know about bringing dogs into grocery stores and the legal stipulations around service animals in North Carolina:

Service Animals in Grocery Stores

Definition of Service Animals:

• The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) defines service animals as those “individually trained to do work or perform tasks for the benefit of an individual with a disability, including a physical, sensory, psychiatric, intellectual, or other mental disability.”
• Service animals are the only animals permitted inside grocery stores in North Carolina.

Rights and Registration:

• North Carolina law supports the right of individuals with disabilities to be accompanied by a service animal in all public places and modes of transportation.
• Registration of service animals by filling out a form online with the state is optional but not required.

Interactions with Businesses:

• According to the ADA, businesses may ask if the animal is required because of a disability and what tasks it has been trained to perform. However, they cannot require documentation proving the animal's certification, training, or licensing.
• While not required by law, it is advisable for service animals to wear vests or collars to avoid complications with businesses that generally do not allow pets.

Federal Prohibitions:

• Federal law prohibits other dogs from grocery stores to prevent contamination from dog drool, urine, feces, and other potential contaminants.

Emotional Support Animals

Definition and Limitations:

• Emotional support animals provide comfort through their presence but are not trained to perform specific tasks for a disability.
• As such, emotional support animals do not qualify as service animals under the ADA and are not allowed in grocery stores under the same provisions.

Legal Implications of Misrepresentation

• Misrepresenting a pet as a service animal is a misdemeanor in North Carolina, subject to a $200 fine plus court costs.
• This penalty is enforced to maintain the integrity and trust in service animal regulations and prevent abuse of the system.

For dog owners who love to take their pets everywhere, it’s crucial to respect these regulations to ensure both the well-being of the public and the integrity of service animal policies.