“Today, any pet owner can go online and buy a vest for a dog to pass it off as a service animal to gain access to restaurants, hotels and places of business,” said Republican state Rep. Kimberly Ferguson, who introduced the Massachusetts bill. “Their animals aren’t trained and end up misbehaving in these public places, which gives real service dogs a bad name.”
American Disability Rights is re-posting this ABC7NY news story for educational purposes.
Service dogs should always be under the control of their handler. Service dogs do not bark frantically without reason.
The Epilepsy Foundation has cautioned consumers to be very wary of any claims or programs that offer to train or provide “seizure predicting” service animals.
The Department of Justice (DOJ) has stated that any online registration service documentation (U.S.A. Service Dog Registration) is no proof the animal is a service dog.
The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) has filed an administrative complaint against Facebook alleging discriminatory advertising in violation of the Fair Housing Act (FHA). HUD alleges that housing advertisers can use Facebook’s advertising tools and algorithms to exclude applicants based on protected categories such as race, sex, or national origin.
A New York landlord has been slapped with a $15,000 fine to settle a discrimination case involving a mentally ill tenant and her emotional support animal, according to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.
A Manhattan restaurateur could be facing $42,000 in fines for refusing to welcome service animals at his eateries, according to legal documents.
Staffers at Limon Jungle and Intermezzo, among the eateries owned by Besim Kukaj, allegedly balked at making the federally mandated concessions to the handicapped, kicking off a battle with the city’s Office of Administrative Trials and Hearings.
Legitimate emotional support animals only have civil rights under rules for the Fair Housing Act and Air Carrier Access Act.
Owners should not be implying that these are medical assistance animals with rights to retail stores, restaurants and hotels as written by the author.
The Department of Transportation’s declaration that miniature horses should be prioritized as service animals has raised many questions.
It’s easy to get your pet designated an emotional support animal. But abuse of the system takes a toll on those with genuine needs.