Are some dog owners cheating the service dog system?
I live in California and this has been on the news quite a bit the last year. Recently, they held hearings in our state capitol to discuss the issue. That issue is pet owners pretending their dogs are service dogs so they can take them anywhere they want.
I'm not sure if this law is nationwide or only pertains to California. However, a business owner can only ask a person to show proof if the dog is a problem (urinates on the floor, bothers other customers, etc.) Otherwise, they don't have the right to ask.
Evidently, some people who bring their dog into businesses make the claim without the outward proof. Others, go as far as getting a vest that looks like a service dog vest so that no one will question them.
It appears the reasons people are doing this is a) because they don't want to be separated from their dog and b) because they can. I haven't seen it outside of pet supply stores, but others have told me that more and more people are taking their dogs into department and grocery stores, restaurants, and other places where we would normally not accept the presence of a dog, except for a service dog. My Mom saw a woman this weekend at Target with a dog in the basket of the shopping cart. It had no service vest. Not only is there the risk of a problem arising (someone comes to pet your do), but what about hygiene issues? The dog may slobber all over the front of the cart. It might even pee. I doubt the dog owner would make any attempt to clean up afterward.
I worked with someone who trained service dogs. The training was intensive. It takes a lot to get a dog certified as a service dog. They have to be in control at all times while on duty. So, I can't imagine that anyone could really pass off a family pet as a service dog. In many ways, it harms those with legitimate service dogs. If we are some place and a dog is behaving badly, and we think it is a service dog, we might be inclined to frown upon future service dogs that we come across.
I'm curious if anyone has noticed people attempting to pass off their dogs as service dogs. Is this a California issue or is it an American (maybe worldwide) problem? I simply don't understand why people think this is appropriate or ethical. Unless a business says it's dog friendly, there is no reason to assume your family dog would be allowed.
