A new legislation to permit guide dogs and service animals to enter both public and private areas has been proposed in an effort to allow disabled people greater access to space and resources.
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This comes after the DA announced its intention to introduce the Performing Animals Protection Amendment Bill, 2023.
According to the Government Gazette, the party said there was an increase in the occurrence of people with disabilities, who use assistance animals, being turned away from public and private spaces and being unable to utilise public transport.
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‘In the Equality Court judgment of SA Guide-Dog Association for the Blind and Amanda Bester vs The Department of Home Affairs and the Western Cape Department of Home Affairs, the court held that the denial of access to the applicant, Amanda Bester and her assistance animal, Reo, to the premises and offices of the Department of Home Affairs, amounted to unfair discrimination,’ read a statement from the party.
In the statement, the DA added that there is currently a lack of legislation preventing assistance animals and their owners from being turned away from private and public areas, buildings and transport.
‘The DA will therefore be introducing legislation to protect persons with disabilities from being denied entry to public and private areas based only on being accompanied by their licensed assistance animal,’ stated the party, adding that the licensing system would provide people with tangible proof of their right to enter or access any public or private area, building, facility or transportation with their assistance animal.
‘Any person who denies a licensee access to these places will commit an offence and be liable to a fine or imprisonment,’’ the DA added.
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