Utah

These 19 states are cracking down on fake service dogs

Americans with Disability Act, Civil Rights, News, Stop Disability Fraud

November 22, 2025

“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.”

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American Humane Association, California, Colorado, Florida, Idaho, Kansas, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Missouri, National Disability Rights Network, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, PBS, Texas, Utah, Virginia, Virigina, Washington

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

November 22, 2025

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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