[graciegirl]

Originally Posted by bagboy

I think Ricciardi's explained the situation very well in their letter and did what was required of them legally.

I agree.

You can't fight city hall. OR the ADA which I think has gotten too big for it's britches.

Here is the body of the letter; "The animal in question was a permitted Service Animal and the owner did present management with proper documentation. I feel that your posting of the letter without any additional information (ADA laws, Ricciardi’s policy on service animals, etc.) was unfair and irresponsible. The ADA law is clear that we must accommodate guests with special needs without judgement.*
Ricciardi’s policy on service animals: We do not discriminate against guests with service animals (this includes the vision impaired, psychiatric purposes, and PTSD service dogs). Once the owner provides us with the proper documentation, we must accommodate them as any other customer without judgement. We do not allow the service dogs to eat. If we see this happen, we immediately intervene. Service dogs are not allowed on the table. They must remain on the floor or in their carriers (including strollers) at all times."

[Taltarzac725]

Originally Posted by graciegirl

I agree.

You can't fight city hall. OR the ADA which I think has gotten too big for it's britches.

Here is the body of the letter; "The animal in question was a permitted Service Animal and the owner did present management with proper documentation. I feel that your posting of the letter without any additional information (ADA laws, Ricciardi’s policy on service animals, etc.) was unfair and irresponsible. The ADA law is clear that we must accommodate guests with special needs without judgement.*
Ricciardi’s policy on service animals: We do not discriminate against guests with service animals (this includes the vision impaired, psychiatric purposes, and PTSD service dogs). Once the owner provides us with the proper documentation, we must accommodate them as any other customer without judgement. We do not allow the service dogs to eat. If we see this happen, we immediately intervene. Service dogs are not allowed on the table. They must remain on the floor or in their carriers (including strollers) at all times."

I am curious? Does this mean the dog is outside on the porch? It would seem to be that the business would be allowed reasonable accommodation. It would pose a health code violation if the dog lost control of its bowels or bladder inside.

[leftyf]

I don't like dogs in any restaurant or grocery section of any store. I saw a large dog in Walmart a couple of days ago and it had no ID of it being any kind of service dog. I asked an employee, "If I ere to come in here with a pig on a leash, would any Walmart employee question me"? She just said, "We are not allowed to".

It is not the store or the restaurants fault, it is the fault of our court system.

[Bonny]

Originally Posted by Taltarzac725

I am curious? Does this mean the dog is outside on the porch? It would seem to be that the business would be allowed reasonable accommodation. It would pose a health code violation if the dog lost control of its bowels or bladder inside.

If it was a seeing eye dog, would the blind person have to eat outside on the porch?

[Taltarzac725]

Originally Posted by Bonny

If it was a seeing eye dog, would the blind person have to eat outside on the porch?

I am trying to remember if I have seen seeing eye dogs inside of restaurants and the answer is yes I have. Frequently Asked Questions about Service Animals and the ADA

But the dog or other animal must be house broken.

A. The ADA does not require covered entities to modify policies, practices, or procedures if it would “fundamentally alter” the nature of the goods, services, programs, or activities provided to the public. Nor does it overrule legitimate safety requirements. If admitting service animals would fundamentally alter the nature of a service or program, service animals may be prohibited. In addition, if a particular service animal is out of control and the handler does not take effective action to control it, or if it is not housebroken, that animal may be excluded.

[graciegirl]

I have lived long enough to see that common sense is nearly dead. We are so afraid of doing something "politically incorrect" that we make utter fools of ourselves and throw the baby out with the bath water.

[DeanFL]

Originally Posted by leftyf

I don't like dogs in any restaurant or grocery section of any store. I saw a large dog in Walmart a couple of days ago and it had no ID of it being any kind of service dog. I asked an employee, "If I ere to come in here with a pig on a leash, would any Walmart employee question me"? She just said, "We are not allowed to".

It is not the store or the restaurants fault, it is the fault of our court system.

Funny you should mention this. We were in Orlando airport a couple weeks ago. Walking from the gate to the tram in the Southwest Air terminal. Walking right past us going towards the gates was a couple holding a leash - with a PIG walking behind them. The portly pig had to be 35+ pounds.
Have no idea...a Service pig? really...

[Taltarzac725]

Originally Posted by DeanFL

Funny you should mention this. We were in Orlando airport a couple weeks ago. Walking from the gate to the tram in the Southwest Air terminal. Walking right past us going towards the gates was a couple holding a leash - with a PIG walking behind them. The portly pig had to be 35+ pounds.
Have no idea...a Service pig? really...

I have seen these too but it has been a while.

[Chatbrat]

better believe a lot of terrorists won't get too close to the pig

[justjim]

Originally Posted by Chatbrat

IMHO--Riccardis was scammed--they most likely, they didn't know what a real"SERVICE" dog is and only. "SERVICE" dogs are covered by the ADA

There needs to be a "Service dog" tag or another clearly visual item issued by the COUNTY that the dog is a true certified service dog. It would be up to the dog owner to provide proof to the county that his/her dog has been trained as a SERVICE DOG. This will take the pressure off the restaurant owners and go a long way in preventing unnecessary confrontations. This is in part why we pay taxes----so our governments should do this job. This issue has been ignored long enough by our Leaders.

[Buckeyephan]

According to the letter from yesterday, the dog ate at the table with the owners on a plate they brought. Disgusting! I would resent eating at a table used by a dog. Have you ever watched tables being "cleaned" at a restaurant? The letter from the restaurant said service animals don't eat. Appears not to be truthful.

[Chatbrat]

by doing this, its obvious- the dog was not a service dog

[Henryk]

Originally Posted by Taltarzac725

I am trying to remember if I have seen seeing eye dogs inside of restaurants and the answer is yes I have. Frequently Asked Questions about Service Animals and the ADA

But the dog or other animal must be house broken.

Must the owner be housebroken too?

[graciegirl]

Originally Posted by Buckeyephan

According to the letter from yesterday, the dog ate at the table with the owners on a plate they brought. Disgusting! I would resent eating at a table used by a dog. Have you ever watched tables being "cleaned" at a restaurant? The letter from the restaurant said service animals don't eat. Appears not to be truthful.

What letter? The letter I copied from Ricciardi's appears to say that eating at table was not allowed. I will print it again.

[graciegirl]

Originally Posted by graciegirl

I agree.

You can't fight city hall. OR the ADA which I think has gotten too big for it's britches.

Here is the body of the letter; "The animal in question was a permitted Service Animal and the owner did present management with proper documentation. I feel that your posting of the letter without any additional information (ADA laws, Ricciardi’s policy on service animals, etc.) was unfair and irresponsible. The ADA law is clear that we must accommodate guests with special needs without judgement.*
Ricciardi’s policy on service animals: We do not discriminate against guests with service animals (this includes the vision impaired, psychiatric purposes, and PTSD service dogs). Once the owner provides us with the proper documentation, we must accommodate them as any other customer without judgement. We do not allow the service dogs to eat. If we see this happen, we immediately intervene. Service dogs are not allowed on the table. They must remain on the floor or in their carriers (including strollers) at all times."

bump