Quote:
Originally Posted by CFrance
I wasn't talking about state law; I was talking about federal law, and specifically the part that states businesses are not allowed to ask for documentation of a dog's training. I believe this is a mistake and is leading to fraud on the part of pet owners.
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Ah. I agree then. The thread started as an inquiry about Florida state law, and Antone wanting to introduce a bill that allows restrictions on emotional support animals (at least I think that's what it was, I don't EVER use Bing and would never click on a bing search result link). I google searched the wording in the OP's title and came up with only one article on the first page that was recent, and about the topic of Florida emotional support animal laws.
I feel that there needs to be some kind of tag, that would come with a HUGE penalty if used fraudulently. Worn on the collar of the animal.
I feel the state laws need to enforce the "4 on the floor" restrictions - if it's in a stroller, baby carriage or doggy-buggy, or in the arms of its owner, then it is not "on duty" and is therefore a pet, not a therapy/support/whatever animal at that time.
The leash needs to NOT be retractable - no exceptions. I don't care if it's in the locked position. An ACTUAL therapy/service/support animal would not be on duty, with one of those leashes, and the owner would be trained to never use them.
The animal should not be allowed more than a certain distance from its owner, in public, period.
The owner should not permit anyone to touch their service animal when it's on duty, except in emergencies (like if the dog got injured and needed to be carried to the hospital).
If any of these things are not happening, then it is clearly NOT on duty, regardless of what the owner claims. If it's not on duty, then it is acting as a pet. And should be treated as such by the establishment.