(A) No person may enter a city building when accompanied by an animal unless authorized by this section.
(B) Before a person accompanied by an animal is permitted into the city buildings, any authorized security person or other city department head or his/her designee, shall make inquiry as to:
(1) Whether the animal is required because of a disability; and
(2) Whether the animal has been trained to perform specific work or tasks to assist the person with his/her disability.
(C) Upon receiving a satisfactory affirmative answer to the above questions, the animal may accompany its handler into the part of the city building available to the general public.
(D) The animal must be under the handler's control by a harness, leash, or other tether.
(E) If the individual is unable to use a harness, leash, or tether because use would interfere with the safe and effective performance or task by the handler, the animal must otherwise be under the control by voice control signals or other effective means of the disabled individual, as approved by the city department head or his/her designee.
(F) An animal which an individual uses solely for emotional support, therapy, comfort, or companionship shall not [be] permitted to enter city buildings, unless expressly authorized by court order issued by a city or Hamilton County court or building security.
(G) Under no circumstance shall this section permit any incarcerated person to possess an animal in any city building.
(H) Any person who is refused admission into a city building with an animal pursuant to this section and continues to enter the public building with the animal, may be fined.
(Ord. 092120C, passed 10-19-20)