What Questions Can a Business Legally Ask About a Service Dog in Las Vegas?
Whether you’re walking into a casino on the Strip or grabbing lunch at a café in Summerlin, it’s important to know your rights when you’re accompanied by a service dog in Las Vegas. Under federal law, businesses are extremely limited in what they’re allowed to ask — and for good reason. Service dogs aren’t pets; they’re trained to assist with specific disabilities, and the ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) protects the privacy and access rights of those who rely on them. But misunderstandings still happen, especially in busy public spaces where staff aren’t always trained on what they can and can’t say. So if someone stops you at the door, here’s exactly what they’re legally allowed to ask — and what they’re not.
They Can Only Ask Two Questions
Let’s keep this simple. If it’s not obvious that your dog is a service animal (like if they’re not wearing a vest or harness), employees are only allowed to ask you two questions: “Is this a service animal required because of a disability?” and “What work or task has the dog been trained to perform?” That’s it. They can’t demand paperwork, they can’t quiz you about your diagnosis, and they definitely can’t ask your dog to perform the task on the spot. The purpose of these two questions is to distinguish trained service animals from emotional support animals or untrained pets — not to challenge or judge your disability. As long as your dog performs a specific task that helps with your condition, you’re within your rights to bring them into public spaces.
What Businesses Can’t Do
This is where a lot of places get it wrong. A business can’t turn you away just because your dog doesn’t “look” like a service animal. They also can’t charge you extra fees, require your dog to wear a special ID, or impose breed or size restrictions. Allergies and fear of dogs are not valid reasons for denial of entry under ADA guidelines. The only time a staff member has the right to ask you to leave is if your dog is out of control, behaving aggressively, or not housebroken. In other words, the same expectations you’d have of any working dog: calm, clean, and under control. As long as your pup meets those standards, the business is legally required to let you in, regardless of whether it’s a grocery store, casino floor, or high-end hotel lobby.
