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THE ISSUE TODAY
The use of fraudulent service dogs has made it increasingly difficult for business owners
to express suspicion for fear that they may be punished or fined for interfering with a
service dog.
Enforcement is difficult because not all service dogs are registered like many with
disability placards. Another additional issue are the people who call their pets therapy,
comfort, and emotional distress dogs, none of which the law considers a service dog.
Businesses and especially restaurants want to focus on providing guests with excellent
service, delicious food and a comfortable dining environment. The use of fraudulent
service dogs hinders these goals.
While legitimate service dogs are trained to perform tasks like opening doors, picking up
items, providing guidance to the visually impaired, to sniffing out allergens and alerting
to oncoming seizures, or calming a person with stress or panic disorder down, regular
pets are not. 5
It is estimated that there are roughly 20,000 legal service dog teams in the United
States, yet hundreds of thousands of fraudulent vests, certificates, and ID cards are sold
every year. 4
The non-profit Canine Companions for independence continues to work hard to petition
the use of fraudulent service animals and is committed to strengthening laws to help
prevent this issue in the future.
The organization has a petition of nearly 30,000 signatures, urging the US department of
justice to crack down on the sale of fake service dog products. 6
The purchases of these items continue to diminish a disabled person’s credibility and
leave business and restaurant owners suspicious of lawbreakers. Breaking the law to
bring your pet with you can create an unfavorable atmosphere for those around you.
While licensed service dogs are well trained and committed to helping their owner your
pet may not be as well trained.
5 The Dogington Post. The Dogington Post, 15 Feb. 2015. Web. 24 Sept. 2015.
.
6 Bowes, Peter. "Advocates Fight against Fake Service Dogs - BBC News." BBC News. BBC News, 26 Mar.
2015. Web. 24 Sept. 2015. .
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