HUD asks FTC to investigate websites selling assistance animal documentation
Cases, Civil Rights, Emotional Support Animals (ESA), Fair Housing Act, Fair Housing Act, Government, Medical Assistance Animals, Pets, Service Dogs (SD), Stop Disability Fraud
January 1, 2020

Recently, U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Secretary Ben Carson wrote to Chairman of the U.S. Federal Trade Commission (FTC) Joseph J. Simons and Director of the Bureau of Consumer Protection Andrew Smith requesting that the FTC investigate certain websites that may be selling assistance animal documentation.

“These certificates are not an acceptable substitute for authentic documentation provided by medical professionals when appropriate,” said Secretary Carson. “These websites that sell assistance animal certificates are often also misleading by implying that they are affiliated with the federal government. Nothing could be further from the truth. Their goal is to convince individuals with disabilities that they need to spend hundreds of dollars on worthless documentation to keep their assistance animal in their homes.”

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Families claim they paid thousands for service animal and got expensive pet
Medical Assistance Animals, News, Pets, Service Dogs (SD), Service Dogs in Training (SDiT), Stop Disability Fraud
November 10, 2019

The families paid Canines 4 Hope between 8 to 13 thousand dollars.

Each contract said there is no guarantee the dog would early detect a seizure or a sudden change in blood sugar.

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Amid pit bull debate, service dogs prove life-changing for Sioux City veterans
Air Carrier Access Act, Americans with Disability Act, Civil Rights, Education, Emotional Support Animals (ESA), Fair Housing Act, Medical Assistance Animals, News, Service Dogs (SD), Service Dogs in Training (SDiT), Stop Disability Fraud
November 3, 2019

“The biggest problem is you have people that do not have a trained dog. They’re taking untrained dogs out there and they’re causing problems,” Brodie said. “They’re saying they’re service dogs, but they’re not.”

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ESA Gator

People Are Taking Emotional Support Animals Everywhere. States Are Cracking Down.
Air Carrier Access Act, Air Carrier Access Act, Cases, Civil Rights, Emotional Support Animals (ESA), Fair Housing Act, Fair Housing Act, Local, Medical Assistance Animals, Pets, Service Dogs (SD), Stop Disability Fraud, Therapy Animals
August 21, 2019

More Americans are saying they need a variety of animals — dogs, ducks, even insects — for their mental health. But critics say many are really just pets that do not merit special status.
The vast majority of emotional support animals are dogs, but some Americans turn to a wide variety of other species. Wally the alligator was approved by his owner’s doctor in York, Pa., as an alternative to taking medication for depression.

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