1. (a) As used in this section, "service animal" means an animal that a person who is impaired by:

   1. (1) blindness or any other visual impairment;
   2. (2) deafness or any other aural impairment;
   3. (3) a physical disability; or

   4. (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.

2. (b) A person who knowingly or intentionally:

   1. (1) interferes with the actions of a service animal; or

   2. (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.

3. (c) An offense under subsection (b)(2) is a Level 6 felony if the act results in the:

   1. (1) serious permanent disfigurement;
   2. (2) unconsciousness;
   3. (3) permanent or protracted loss or impairment of the function of a bodily member or organ; or

   4. (4) death;

      of the service animal.

4. (d) It is a defense that the accused person:

   1. (1) engaged in a reasonable act of training, handling, or disciplining the service animal; or
   2. (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.