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Fake Service Animal Epidemic

Jetboogieman

Jetboogieman

Somewhere in Babylon
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This is an issue that is becoming close to my heart, not only for selfish reasons but when I see the impact its having not just on businesses, but legitimate Service Animal Users, I am disgusted by these people that are abusing the system.

In the last few years, more and more stories are being written about this problem, this one is particularly damning:

https://nationalpost.com/news/canad...om-a-world-taken-over-by-fake-service-animals

Earlier this month, Delta Airlines announced stricter rules on what kinds of service animals will be allowed on flights. The company joins a steadily growing list of governments, corporations and public institutions that have similarly been cracking down on a North American epidemic of people abusing service animal regulations.

There exists a whole galaxy of trained, certified service animals: Seeing-eye dogs, seizure alert dogs, autism support dogs, even specially trained psychiatric service dogs. But a “fake” service dog is when a normal pet is zipped into a vest and paired with questionable papers declaring them an “emotional support animal.”
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snip
It used to be that service dog handlers could enter airports, restaurants and public transit with relative confidence that the space would be clear of untrained animals. But the wave of fake service animals has meant that uncontrolled and potentially aggressive animals are increasingly showing up in places once considered off-limits. In October, a blind California man’s seeing eye dog was mauled by a pit bull on Sacramento light rail. “(The owner) claimed it was a service dog,” the man told local media. The next month, a Nebraska woman similarly had her disability support dog attacked by a lapdog carrying a “service dog” tag on its collar. In August, Outside magazine interviewed a blind man who said a “dog once spent an entire flight barking at my dog.” Many disabled people have become so fed up by constantly encountering aggressive “service” dogs that they’ve taken to openly shamingthe worst offenders. The result is dozens of online videos showing alleged service dogs barking, growling, charging or merely lounging in Wal-Mart shopping carts in ill-fitting “service dog” vests.
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That article lists a few other examples of bad situations this cheating the system is causing but I find the impact on real Service Animals to be particularly egregious.


 
But this happened just the other day:

‘Emotional support animal’ mauls 5-year-old at Portland Airport, lawsuit claims | Fox News

A mom has filed a $1.1 million lawsuit against the owner of a pit bull and Alaska Airlinesafter the animal allegedly mauled her 5-year-old’s face at the Portland International Airport.

The lawsuit, filed Monday in Multnomah County by Mirna Gonzalez on behalf of her daughter, Gabriela Gonzalez, claims Michelle Brannan, the dog’s owner, should have known her animal had “vicious propensities” and that Alaska Airlines allowed her to bring a dangerous dog into the gate waiting area without being confined or trained.

According to the suit, the incident took place Dec. 18, 2017, while Gabriella Gonzalez was waiting at Gate C7 with her family for a flight to Texas at the Portland hub.

Gabriella, then aged 5, was waiting at the gate when Brannan entered the area with her pit bull, which was not kept in a crate, kennel or other secure container, the lawsuit claims. The child allegedly gained permission from Brannan to pet the dog. While she was petting the animal, it bit her, causing serious injuries.
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Now, one is not supposed to pet a Service Animal, ever, as far as I know, I mean this was an alleged Emotional Support Dog, so perhaps its a different case but I think it's suspicious the owner would say, go ahead and pet the dog and I'm pretty sure legitimate service animals are trained NOT to try to rip 5 year olds faces off and it most likely was not a legitimate service animal.

This **** is getting out of hand and in my industry we are unfortunately seeing more and more and more of this, something must be done, there needs to be a centralized national or even perhaps transnational authority, whether that could be done as a North American and European body or whatever, where these dogs are properly certified and registered, with standardized certification cards and harnesses to clamp down on the amount of fake licenses and harnesses that are proliferating throughout the world, people are taking the piss and deeply impacting those that actually really need these animals to get through daily life and are casting undue doubt upon them because of these disgusting fakers.

Seriously, **** these people.
 
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Here in California, it's more about the lawyers than the animals. Businesses are for the most part scared to death of lawsuits and bad publicity, not to mention some sympathetic little old lady making a scene. They even let shoplifters walk out the door if loss prevention agents aren't there to stop them for fear of lawsuits.

Then there is are the screaming fits, and bad publicity, and the whole messy business of that squishy feeling of "Who else cares but me?" If you call a cop, what is he going to do? Nothing. Maybe ask the person to do what? Leave the only place to buy groceries in walking distance? Put the dog in the car? Well, in California if I feel your dog is too hot I can break your car window. Legally.

You are really in the area of "Broken windows policing". It works, but the lawbreakers and scofflaws hate it. As a society we are getting too risk adverse to enforce the laws.
 
Let's face it, many dog owners are rude and they believe, falsely, that their animals have the same right to exist in public areas as you and I do. I don't hate dogs but I sure hate how too many dog owners feel entitled to their "emotional support" animals. These adults should be ashamed to require the constant companionship of living Teddy Bears to be able to get through the day. I'm weary of having to worry that some emotional weakling's dumb friend will attack or hump me without notice.

I remember a time when NOBODY who wasn't blind would dare bring a dog to a grocery store or restaurant. They'd be thrown out. That should still be the policy everywhere. If you're not stable enough to go out without a dog, stay home!
 
So then the real question here, in my mind is what reason is there not to require such regulations? And please, nobody say because it's he law. The question is asking what the law should be not what it is. The common reply of the black market of vests and papers isn't a reason. We already have these out there being abused. But regulations would allow those who are faking it to be fined and otherwise punished. And yes I do believe that the legal exceptions should only be for service animals and not support animals.

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Some people think that they are special and do not have to obey any law that they do not like.

Whenever I go to Trader Joe's (a specialty grocery chain) here in Hollywood, I always almost see a customer with his/her dog.

The door has a sign that says "NO PETS" (only service dogs allowed).

But these arrogant individuals know that the staff will say nothing.

So they flout the law with impunity.

I will not stand in line to check out in front of another customer with a dog, lest it decide to take a bite out of me.
 
Pass stupid laws and stupid things happen.
 
apdst said:
Pass stupid laws and stupid things happen.
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And what specifically is the stupid law passed?

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Jetboogieman said:
This is an issue that is becoming close to my heart, not only for selfish reasons but when I see the impact its having not just on businesses, but legitimate Service Animal Users, I am disgusted by these people that are abusing the system.

In the last few years, more and more stories are being written about this problem, this one is particularly damning:

https://nationalpost.com/news/canad...om-a-world-taken-over-by-fake-service-animals



snip



That article lists a few other examples of bad situations this cheating the system is causing but I find the impact on real Service Animals to be particularly egregious.


Click to expand...

Dude you dont want to get me started on that happy horse ****. People and their "Furbabies" that is a serious pet peeve of mine. People bringing their pets into a food store or place with food in it. I dont mind service animals that help guide the blind, or are working helping someone legitimately, but emotional support animals? If someone is that damn unstable they need to get real help.
 
This isn’t an issue I have personally run into. All service dogs I have ever encountered wearing the vests have been very well behaved. But the stories the OP cited are scary.

So are the papers they are using for the “emotional support” animals faked? Do they need to be signed off on by a medical professional, similar to getting a handicap parking tag?

I’m not going to say there is never a legitimate need for an “emotional support animal”. I can imagine some people with PTSD, especially children, who can calm themselves back down quickest by having their animal.

BUT

I think there should be two requirements in order to legally be allowed to put one of those vests on an animal, particularly dogs.
1. A psychiatrist or psychologist must sign off on it.
2. The animal itself must be approved. This would mean the animal must have been trained and cleared by a certified trainer indicating the animal has the training and behavior to safely be among people and other animals.

It isn’t enough to just have a medical need. The animal you use must be appropriate, and we can’t just take their word for it.
 
Skeptic Bob said:
This isn’t an issue I have personally run into. All service dogs I have ever encountered wearing the vests have been very well behaved. But the stories the OP cited are scary.

So are the papers they are using for the “emotional support” animals faked? Do they need to be signed off on by a medical professional, similar to getting a handicap parking tag?

I’m not going to say there is never a legitimate need for an “emotional support animal”. I can imagine some people with PTSD, especially children, who can calm themselves back down quickest by having their animal.

BUT

I think there should be two requirements in order to legally be allowed to put one of those vests on an animal, particularly dogs.
1. A psychiatrist or psychologist must sign off on it.
2. The animal itself must be approved. This would mean the animal must have been trained and cleared by a certified trainer indicating the animal has the training and behavior to safely be among people and other animals.

It isn’t enough to just have a medical need. The animal you use must be appropriate, and we can’t just take their word for it.
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I think the issue comes in that there is so many patchworks of issuing authorities and no broader authority and the few provisions in the Americans with Disabilities Act is too broad that it is open to abuse on the subject of service animals.

Ebay, etsy, Amazon and a plethora of other sites offer official looking licenses and harnesses for quite cheap... I think the issue can be solved by doing the following.

1. Create a nationwide or even continent wide if possible issuing authority where the dog is registered, this standardizes harnesses and documentation, that documentation can also be looked up online as I have seen some issuing authorities do and yah know, I don't think it would be a bad idea for service animals to have colored divisions, so emotional support could be blue, seeing eye red etc to further clarify things.

2. Impose financial penalties on fakers and empower businesses with broader, but no too intrusive questioning on the animal.

I think that's all thats needed to solve the problem and it needs to be solved, because it is directly impacting those with actual service dogs who desperately need them.
 
Jetboogieman said:
This is an issue that is becoming close to my heart, not only for selfish reasons but when I see the impact its having not just on businesses, but legitimate Service Animal Users, I am disgusted by these people that are abusing the system.

In the last few years, more and more stories are being written about this problem, this one is particularly damning:

‘They’re s—ing all over’: Scenes from a world taken over by fake service animals | National Post



snip



That article lists a few other examples of bad situations this cheating the system is causing but I find the impact on real Service Animals to be particularly egregious.


Click to expand...

The law makes it so difficult for not only airlines to question them but for landlords, restaurants, and store merchants too.
If one doubts that the dog's certification is fake and they make a stink about it, they could end up getting sued.

Something has got to give. I flew recently from San Diego to FL. (not a direct flight but two flights). On both flights I mentally questioned if these dogs were really service animals or comfort companions. People can readily buy these certificates online and get their doctor or PA to sign off on them without the owner going through the legal channels of proving it to the government and having it certified by the proper bureau.
I know this because we used to be a landlord where the tenant moved their so called comfort animals, (sometimes moving in 3 dogs) I mean who needs three comfort companion dogs? Isn't one enough? A landlord can't even ask to see their certification. Try it, and one can end up getting sued.

Getting back to my recent flight...
People had their companions, their so called "emotional support dogs" in their cages and shoved them under the seat in front of them.
I think many have abused the laws. They just don't want their beloved pets to have to fly in the cargo area of the plane.

I am not allergic to dogs and I love dogs dearly, but I have to wonder why dogs are allowed in the passenger section where people who are highly allergic have to endure this misery? Where do the rights of the so called canine comfort pet owner begin and the other passengers end?

Like I said, attempting to find out if these animals are really emotional support animals, service dogs is a losing battle.
Google it... You can be sued just for asking.
Owners know this, hence why they are increasingly abusing the laws.
 
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trixare4kids said:
The law makes it so difficult for not only airlines to question them but for landlords, restaurants, and store merchants too.
If one doubts that the dog's certification is fake and they make a stink about it, they could end up getting sued.

Something has got to give. I flew recently from San Diego to FL. (not a direct flight but two flights). On both flights I mentally questioned if these dogs were really service animals or comfort companions. People can readily buy these certificates online and get their doctor or PA to sign off on them without the owner going through the legal channels of proving it to the government and having it certified by the proper bureau.
I know this because we used to be a landlord where the tenant moved their so called comfort animals, (sometimes moving in 3 dogs) I mean who needs three comfort companion dogs? Isn't one enough? A landlord can't even ask to see their certification. Try it, and one can end up getting sued.

Getting back to my recent flight...
People had their companions, their so called "emotional support dogs" in their cages and shoved them under the seat in front of them.
I think many have abused the laws. They just don't want their beloved pets to have to fly in the cargo area of the plane.

I am not allergic to dogs and I love dogs dearly, but I have to wonder why dogs are allowed in the passenger section where people who are highly allergic have to endure this misery? Where do the rights of the so called canine comfort pet owner begin and the other passengers end?

Like I said, attempting to find out if these animals are really emotional support animals, service dogs is a losing battle.
Google it... You can be sued just for asking.
Owners know this, hence why they are increasingly abusing the laws.
Click to expand...
Actually there are two questions you are legally allowed to ask. Is the dog a service animal required because of a disability? You cannot ask what disability though. What work or task has the dog been trained to perform? Also remember that emotional support animal are not recognized as service animals by law. Additionally if an actual service animal is not under control, then the person and animal can be removed from the premises.

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maquiscat said:
Actually there are two questions you are legally allowed to ask. Is the dog a service animal required because of a disability? You cannot ask what disability though. What work or task has the dog been trained to perform? Also remember that emotional support animal are not recognized as service animals by law. Additionally if an actual service animal is not under control, then the person and animal can be removed from the premises.

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Yeah, I know. I've asked these questions before to tenants. If you think they are lying, nothing you can do about it.
Our other tenants were afraid to report owners to the police when their service animal's barking became a nuisance.
It's a real dilemma. Fair Housing Act protects them.

Housing
Under the Fair Housing Act, an individual with a disability may be entitled to keep an emotional support animal in housing facilities that otherwise do not allow pets. An emotional support animal—which can include animals other than dogs—must be permitted as a reasonable accommodation when an individual requires the animal in order to have an equal opportunity to use and enjoy the housing. The assistance the animal provides must relate to the individual’s disability.

Airlines
Under the Air Carrier Access Act (ACAA), a commercial airline must permit emotional support dogs and other animals to accompany qualified passengers with a disability on a flight. Airlines cannot require a passenger traveling with a service animal to help with a physical disability to provide written documentation that the animal is a service animal, but the same is not true for a psychiatric service animal or emotional support animal.

In both the housing and airline context, an individual with a disability will likely need to acquire a special letter from a licensed mental health professional documenting the individual’s need for an emotional support animal.

For more information on requirements, see Nolo's article on flying with service dogs and emotional support animals.
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Psychiatric Service Dogs & Emotional Support Animals: Access to Public Places & Other Settings | Nolo
 
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I think it would be kind of cool if we started treating false service animal owners as stolen valor a-holes. Get those animals a better home and then punish the jerks who set them up to look bad.
 
chuckiechan said:
Comfort animals. Like my pet “comfort” porcupine.
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I have a genuine disability which allows me to board an airplane before many others. Maybe I will get my physician to legitimize my cat, Lily, as my emotional support animal. If permitted, next time I fly across the country, maybe I'll just use earplugs and I won't have to hear her distressful meowing. Screw the passengers sitting near me. ;)

 
maquiscat said:
And what specifically is the stupid law passed?

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The law allowing people into otherwise restricted public places with service animals.
 
chuckiechan said:
Comfort animals. Like my pet “comfort” porcupine.
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Do you have any examples of such laws? ADA is not one of them. Comfort/emotional support animal are not covered by ADA.

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maquiscat said:
Do you have any examples of such laws? ADA is not one of them. Comfort/emotional support animal are not covered by ADA.

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They are allowed in public housing and on airlines though...

Housing
Under the Fair Housing Act, an individual with a disability may be entitled to keep an emotional support animal in housing facilities that otherwise do not allow pets. An emotional support animal—which can include animals other than dogs—must be permitted as a reasonable accommodation when an individual requires the animal in order to have an equal opportunity to use and enjoy the housing. The assistance the animal provides must relate to the individual’s disability.

Airlines
Under the Air Carrier Access Act (ACAA), a commercial airline must permit emotional support dogs and other animals to accompany qualified passengers with a disability on a flight. Airlines cannot require a passenger traveling with a service animal to help with a physical disability to provide written documentation that the animal is a service animal, but the same is not true for a psychiatric service animal or emotional support animal.

In both the housing and airline context, an individual with a disability will likely need to acquire a special letter from a licensed mental health professional documenting the individual’s need for an emotional support animal.
Click to expand...
Psychiatric Service Dogs & Emotional Support Animals: Access to Public Places & Other Settings | Nolo
 
I should see if I can bring my emotional support whiskey on a flight some day.
 
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