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Jail time now possible if you have a fake service animal

[JoMar]

Only works if the business asks for the documentation and since this is TV, doubt that will happen.

[DonH57]

So my dog alerting me when I get within 500 feet of Dunkin's was all a lie ? I so trusted him too.

[BS Beef]

I love it. I think it's great. I'm just wondering who's "on the fence" on whether to do this or not. What's wrong with someone that they would do this?

[dalecrenshaw]

My husband and I were in a restaurant tonight where a woman came in with her "Chihauhau" 5 lb "emotional support dog". This is not a "Service Dog" that helps disabled people. I am a lover of animals, but I do think that people bringing in their emotional support dogs has been abused...and now the authorities are thinking of taking away this privilege from those "few" people that might really need service dog for the handicap or an emotional support dog. This is really being abused by people that can't bear to leave their pets home and bring them into restaurants or grocery stores, where it is unsanitary or people are allergic to pets. I once sat is a restaurant where an emotional support dog was allowed in, seemed to be well behaved, slept under the table when his owners ate, then awoke, and did his business on the desert tray. I believe that those disabled people who have licensed service dogs, who have been trained and certified as well trained, deserve to bring in their service dogs to help them with their needs, but the word has gotten around that the general public can get an "emotional support" pet certification through the internet without any proof that they need it just because they want to take their pet to restaurants, take them on airplanes without paying the normal $250 fee, or take them to grocery stores, because they can't bear to leave them at home. This is being abused and will ruin it for the people that truly need support.

[Chatbrat]

As a customer in an establishment, and a person comes in with an emotional support or other animal that is not a support dog i will call law enforcement after July 1 and ask them to handle it.

[Miles42]

Awesome I hope it gets attention and business people start asking for paperwork.

[Cobh521]

Great News!

[Jima64]

Originally Posted by JoMar

Only works if the business asks for the documentation and since this is TV, doubt that will happen.

I support people having to show id for any kind of support animal. I think the way the law is written you are not allowed to ask for id. I say make them carry and produce information.

[redwitch]

Sadly, establishments won't be allowed to ask for certification -- federal law does not have it, so states don't have it. All that can be asked is whether the individual has a disability and what is the animal trained to do. ESAs generally do not qualify as service animals, so can be banned. The odds of a restaurant or store risking bad publicity or a lawsuit pretty much guaranties that the questions won't be asked and that the cheats will continue to abuse this right of the disabled.

[Trayderjoe]

Originally Posted by redwitch

Sadly, establishments won't be allowed to ask for certification -- federal law does not have it, so states don't have it. All that can be asked is whether the individual has a disability and what is the animal trained to do. ESAs generally do not qualify as service animals, so can be banned. The odds of a restaurant or store risking bad publicity or a lawsuit pretty much guaranties that the questions won't be asked and that the cheats will continue to abuse this right of the disabled.

Hopefully the new law will provide some support so that businesses would not fear negative publicity or lawsuits. More light does need to be put on the subject as IMHO, we should show more respect to both the person in need of a service animal and the animal who is busy working on behalf of their owner.

Should I see a situation arise where a person with a ESA makes a scene, I would have no problem with waiting for the authorities to inform them of what I saw and heard.

[TVMayor]

If your dog gets arrested for impersonating a service dog, will he have a trial and will he be forced to testify?

[graciegirl]

Originally Posted by Cobh521

Great News!

I agree. Went to Steinmart today and as we were leaving two women were blocking the entrance/exit trying to get Poochie into a cart. The Steinmart Cart had a cloth bottom so puppy would be comfortable and would likely leave some doggie hair that would be picked up by the next user.


Those who know me well, really do know my sincere affection for dogs and cats but some folks and their kids, furry and otherwise just aren't very thoughty.


Small dog, not vicious, cute as Christmas, but just shoulda been at home, IMVHO.

[Jimturner]

Impersonating a handy capped person ugh! I give my furry friends all the love of any family member, but I respect my neighbors enough not to force my love of animals on them. Too darn many people are ITS ALL ABOUT ME these days and it saddens me to see it and live it.

[KeepingItReal]

Originally Posted by redwitch

Sadly, establishments won't be allowed to ask for certification -- federal law does not have it, so states don't have it. All that can be asked is whether the individual has a disability and what is the animal trained to do. ESAs generally do not qualify as service animals, so can be banned. The odds of a restaurant or store risking bad publicity or a lawsuit pretty much guaranties that the questions won't be asked and that the cheats will continue to abuse this right of the disabled.

Emotional support dogs or comfort dogs never qualify as service animals. Managers that care will make it work, those too afraid to ask won't...