Large amount of Emotional Support "Service" Animals

[PamelaIamela]

I know two people with 'emotional support' dogs that are palmed off as service animals.
They both laugh because they know it's a load of bull****.
The animals are innocent; the owners are garbage.

[diamondeye]

Originally Posted by k350

Yes, but I am reading the poster is saying that they come in under the guise of being a service dog, because the business really has not much ground to stand on in challenging it.

Exactly. Businesses need to be more empowered.

[blueherons]

Originally Posted by k350

Unless that person has a dog, and just declares it a service animal, as many people do.

Actually, there are a few things you can do. It takes a minimum of 24 months to train a service animal. Ask the animal's age. Also, a service animal will never be in a stroller, a handbag, in your lap etc.

[diamondeye]

Just back from Aldi in Jupiter, saw someone with their toy dog with an "ESA" vest on it. It's specifically announcing that it's not a service dog, but no, nobody says anything. I think it's even getting to the point where since the rule is not enforced at all, they might actually think it's genuinely permitted!

[VA Yankee]

You see this abuse everywhere but with the airlines re-establishing standards that allow only true service dogs trained to assist the owner for a specific purpose I hope that this trickles down to the stores. As the law allows a store can ask "what assistance does this animal provide?" that in itself should eliminate 99.9% of what we see in the stores. As others have stated its a disgrace to those that truly require theses assistants and their are properly trained to work in this role.

[diamondeye]

Well, I finally had enough when I went into the Panera at Alton Town Place and not only was some person with their pet, with not even a jacket fake or otherwise, started sniffing at my ankles and the manager was playing with the dog, I tweeted corporate with the store # saying this is not acceptable and you need to do something. There are allergic people inside and it's not fair to them. We'll see, and if no response I'll followup with the phone.