Some of those dogs are unruly, injuring people and confusing matters for legitimate service dogs.
The problem is happening around the county. Dogs wearing "service dog" vests have been filmed behaving in ways that experts say a real service dog never would.
One video shows an aggressive, barking dog was allowed into a hospital because its owner claimed it was a service animal.
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| "Service dog" attacks little girl after she won't give it her pizza. Real service dogs don't attack little kids over food. |
Other pet owners are proudly posting photos of their faux service animals on social media. One Seattle McDonald's customer told police the cat on his backpack was a service animal, but video shows the cat going berzerk when a canister of pepper spray went off.
Claiming your pet is a service animal is technically a violation of federal and state law, but there's no enforcement. There is also a broad misunderstanding of what does and does not constitute a service animal. Complaints to the state office of human rights are increasing, and experts say confusion is causing those with real service animals to be unnecessarily doubted.
The Americans with Disabilities Act says a service dog is "individually trained to work or perform tasks for a person with a disability." It doesn't say how well trained the animal must be or who can train a service animal. It also doesn't offer a system to verify service animals.
KOMO News applied to have a dog with no training whatsoever become a certified service dog. A website offered to sell credentials and a badge that would make Roscoe appear to be a legal service dog.
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| They were able to get documents declaring Roscoe a service animal |
There are scores of similar websites that require no proof of training before handing over a credentials.
Roscoe's package arrived a few days later. He got a badge, a photo ID and a registration card.
Genuine dog training takes time and money, but the Americans with Disabilities Act requires no test or certification.
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| "Service dog" attacks child, 6 |
"The ADA, they don't have enough rules in place. They're very loose," said dog trainer Becky Bishop.
Bishop runs Puppy Manners and said she can spot a fake service dog at a glance. She said she saw one just last month inside a store.
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| Man upset that his "emotional support" pit bull not accepted at Taco Bell |
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| Hmm, if no one believed that my Rottweiler was a true service dog, I'd provide the proof instead of whining about it. |
"Bam! Bam! Bam! Dog bit me. And I was bleeding. He bit me good, and I said, 'this isn't a service dog and you shouldn't be in here.' I finally decided to call somebody out. Nobody ever does. And I thought, 'these people need to be confronted,'" she said.
Bishop isn't the only person fed up with fake service dogs. Angry people are taking to Youtube with arguments over the vague federal service dog guidelines.
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| Butte "service dog" takes bite out of police car |
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| Disabled man's dog is aggressive and often runs loose, couple say |
"You just don't know what side you can legally take or which side you should take, or not take one at all! For that matter," said Loui Velaoras, who owns the Grecian Corner Restaurant. "Very confusing. Very confusing."
The ADA says Velaoras can ask only two questions of service animal handlers: Is that a service dog? And what task does it perform for you? ID cards don't matter. Proof of training doesn't matter. Vests don't matter.
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| Man complains after his dog, which is not a service dog, is questioned |
Service animals are not emotional support animals or therapy animals, which have no ADA protections. Real service dogs perform real tasks for people with real disabilities.
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| Vietnam vet's 300-pound "emotional support" pet — a pig — divides Largo neighborhood |
There is no law preventing people from questioning a person with a fake service dog. But how do you spot them? Look for dogs not wearing a leash or in a baby carriage or tote bag. Fake service animals may also be unruly or not stay next to their handler.
If an animal is an imminent threat, the business owner can order them to leave.
(KOMO News - Feb 24, 2015)
Just an FYI. An emotional support animal (ESA) is not permitted the same privileges as a service animal. ESA's are allowed in any type of housing and on airplanes but are not permitted in other public areas such as restaurants and stores.
ReplyDeleteWhile there are no official registration laws for service animals, the animal has to be trained and able to perform at least three things the individual could not perform themselves. While you are legally not able to inquire about a person's disability or ask to see documentation, you are allowed, by law, to inquire about the specific service the animal is trained to perform.
Just an FYI. An emotional support animal (ESA) is not permitted the same privileges as a service animal. ESA's are allowed in any type of housing and on airplanes but are not permitted in other public areas such as restaurants and stores.
ReplyDeleteWhile there are no official registration laws for service animals, the animal has to be trained and able to perform at least three things the individual could not perform themselves. While you are legally not able to inquire about a person's disability or ask to see documentation, you are allowed, by law, to inquire about the specific service the animal is trained to perform.