Quote:
Originally Posted by OpenD
Due to widespread abuse, the service dog loophole has been closed somewhat in Hawai'i:
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That is true, BUT it does not apply to other states and that is where the animal's originate from. So a pet arrving from CA will must likely be dealing with California airline personnel who will follow what they know as the general rules. Airlines also must follow the strict DOT interpretation which is what the ADA says. So they are limited on the qualifiactions they can ask for to verify that a stated service animal is in fact a legitimate Service Animal under ADA. So from an airline standpoint, their hands are ties and there is little they can do except report any suspicions they have about the legitiamcy of a service animal claim by a passeneger. Hawaii Dept of Agriculture was able to establish their guidelines for what consitutes a Service Animal as far as entry and inspection requirments, but even those are allowed under the consent decree reached over Service Animal entry and quarantine.
The greatest weapon againt gfraud is those who can show a person is faking it and report it to the Sheriff ro Police at the airport before the person deplanes. If they claim a service animal that is fale and the law enforcement can get to them at the gate check, they have ways of determining the legitimacy.