I’ve seen”service dogs” that look like they need service dogs.
(NEWSER) – “Today, any pet owner can go online and buy a vest for a dog to pass it off as a service animal to gain access to restaurants, hotels and places of business.” That’s the word from a Republican state representative who introduced a bill in Massachusetts that would crack down on pet owners who claim their animals are service animals. Similar bills have already been enacted in 19 states, and still more states are considering implementing them, USA Today reports. Most of the laws hit anyone misrepresenting their animal as a service animal with fines up to $500.
There are an estimated 20,000 service dogs in the US; they are specifically trained to do tasks for a person with a disability and can help with disabilities ranging from vision impairments to seizures to autism and more. However, there’s no way to verify whether an animal has undergone service training, making these laws tricky to actually enforce. (One law professor says he’s not aware of any prosecutions related to service animal laws.) But advocates of such laws say they’re necessary, citing incidents in which non-service-animals have misbehaved in places they shouldn’t have been allowed, casting real service animals in a bad light—or, in some cases, even injuring an actual service animal.
I once had a ‘service dog’ enter my office and who started snarling and barking at me. I fended off the beast for a while, then its lunatic (female, minority) owner entered my office and yelled at me, demanding to know what I had done to Sparkles or Fluffy or whatever its name was. The damned thing was about 80 lbs and not a yorkie terrier (no vest, no harness, no leash, the gd thing just wandered the floor). Went down to HR, oh man, the whole thing was a nightmare for them. ADA act-type nonsense. Dog Woman eventually left, the whole place breathed a sigh of relief.
Like the proliferation of handicapped license plates and rear-view mirror signs, here comes the proliferation of service dogs for the handicapped…. because some handicaps are just “invisible.”
At least 1/3 of parking spaces are designated “handicapped” — instead of a nation of “we can do this”, we are becoming a nation of “we cannot do anything”.
Buck, I have a 8” screwdriver handy in my desk for such occasions.
Never been questioned about it.
Then again, they’re offensive to muslims. No, that’s not a good enough reason to encourage delusion and entitlement. One day, some lardass is going to back her scooter over a service Pomeranian in Walmart. I guess we’ll find out then who’s really disabled.
I have no use for people who fake
an illness or handicap to get over
on the rest of us.
I haven’t seen a true service dog in years. I see the little dogs they carry around who are snarling at anyone who gets too close and the annoying dogs they bring into restaurants who try to steal food off customers’ plates. Then I watch the owners scream they can’t make them when they’re told they are going to have to take their dogs out for bothering customers.
First We pass the laws that declare Special people exempt from the Law. Then we have to pass the laws punishing the liivestock for pretending to be people. Repeat.
“One Law to rule them all, and in the darkness bind them.”
Get rid of the Americans with Disabilities Act.
Then let private business decide what “privileges” each chooses to offer customers.
one small reason I won’t fly any more is the proliferation of dogs in the first class compartment.
the freaking tsa and credit card frequent flyer miles ruined flying for business people.
I had a friend back in the 70’s that taught his dog to find his golf ball if he couldn’t find it.
That was a nice service
The article should add: “Today, any pet owner can get her doctor to write a note saying their pet is a service pet.” When my prior company moved offices it was to a building that did not permit pets, unless they were service animals. Happily, as it were, all 3 who brought their dogs to the office had doctor’s notes – and zero of them needed a service animal. 2 millennial women and a gay guy. Nice people, each of them, and also entitled people.
My service wolverine will take care of them.
I just got a service vest for my cat. I’ll let you guys know how it works out.
Management doesn’t like me when some asshole brings his dog into a supermarket or restaurant.
Czar that would be the smartest thing. Then maybe we’d quit having businesses having to jump through hoops to make everything compliant. A friend that owns a restaurant would really be happy about that, she has a small parking lot, she had two handicap parking spots and was fined because they determined her lot size she should have three. She also gets tired of people bringing lap dogs in with service vests, preventing her from removing them, although it’s clear they’re not service dogs. She questioned one couple and they pulled out a doctor’s letter saying she needed a service dog. It’s as insane as doctors giving letters for obese people to get handicap stickers.
I saw an old dude and woman in the plumbing isle of Lowe’s with a shit-zu in the shopping cart. Guess the mop-dog was going to give them installation advice…
Those people who need service animals for “anxiety” are the worst. If you are such a wackadoodle that you can’t leave your home without your pet then you should prolly be hospitalized in a mental health facility. Seriously, why not just carry around your favorite “blankie” like a toddler. Or take up thumb sucking, I hear babies find it quite soothing.
Fake service animals are why pepper spray was invented.
If attacked or threatened by one, it works on their owners too.
Email I sent two weeks ago and response:
I was in the restaurant yesterday and during the short period I was there no less than four dogs (pets) were brought into the place. I walked in and ordered and paid for a breakfast sandwich from the display case was seated by the front door and fireplace. I had a few bites of my sandwich and went to use the restroom and on the way pass a woman with yet another dog, this one was standing on a woman’s lap w/it’s front feet on the table licking off a plate and your waitress had to see this. She was right there. I used the restroom and left immediately.
Please refund my Discover Card
Response:
Hello Jxxx,
Adam Cxxx here in response to your disagreeable restaurant experience at our cafe this last Sunday.
We will of course refund your money onto the discover card you used. The cafe reopens on Wednesday and you can reach both Mxxxxx and myself via house phone at xxx xxx xxxx.. anytime after 9 am… As a baker Iam usually there until about 11.. am , Mxxxx until about 1 pm.
There are several “anxiety therapy” canines that frequent our establishment… believe it or not there’s even a miniature pony that sometimes pays a modest visit … to the delight of our customers young and old..
I understand that your experience was unfortunately colored by some of our “animal” patrons.. to the degree that a financial refund was not only relevant , but necessary.
I look forward to your phone call Wednesday and will return your money promptly…
Thanks again for your earnest input as to your experience at Sxxxxxxxxx ..
Axxx Cxxx
A miniature pony???
OK I love animals, but dammit, if it’s going to be a service animal restaurant, then officially make it one. Who needs hair, gas, and spit flying around while you’re trying to eat?
In Vegas, there’s a dog themed bar/ restaurant (I forget the name of it right now) that I’ve gone to that is pet friendly. But the people with pets must stay outside in an enclosed area that looks just as nice as the inside.
The lazy dog restaurant. It’s great. And they have rules for pets if you want to bring them with you. They even have a menu. lol :
https://www.lazydogrestaurants.com/dogs/info
To be honest Id rather have dogs allowed where ever we go.I prefer to limit access to children most run wild these days!