It's the canine version of snagging a handicapped parking spot when you are perfectly able-bodied: passing your dog off as a service dog when he's just a regular Rover. The San Diego Tribune reports that service-dog vests are available for the asking, and federal law prevents merchants from asking for proof of a dog's service-dog status. Coupled with the fact that a service dog's function might not be readily apparent -- any animal, not just a canine, can be used for "emotional support" -- and that leaves lots of loopholes through which the unethical are willing to jump. Sort of agility for losers.
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Comments (4)
This wouldn't be happening if the airlines would take better care of the dogs who are put in their hands.People don't want their dogs flying in the baggage compartment...Too many are getting out.
After almost 19 months, Vivi is still missing, plus several other dogs and a cat who got away from whoever was suppose to be taking care of them at the airport.
Well said Roooby! I have to totally agree with you. My Tinkerbell may not be considered a "service dog" by many, but she sure kept her Mommy from staying in a deep sleep when my blood sugar had dropped to a dangerous level. Don't know how others might feel, but she "sure as hell was a service dog to me that day!"
And I be damned if I would allow her to go aboard a plane as baggage and be possibly lost like our precious Vivi and the others .... when hell freezes over! Maybe I had better purchase one of those vests just in case, huh....
I am so glad for you that Tink is a small dog who can fit in a carrier under the seat if she has to fly! My big girl is an Akita and if I take her cross country I'd be happy to drive but if I had to take her overseas I don't know what to do.
Emotional support dogs are NOT service dogs. They cannot go into restaurants, stores, etc. The only differences between them and any other pet is: (1) Their owner has been prescribed the animal as therapy for their mental illness by their doctor, (2) They can live in no-pets housing with the doctor's letter, and (3) They can go in airplane cabins with the doctor's letter. Other than that, they are the same as any other pet. They are not trained to do tasks, which is a requirement for a service dog.
Kathleen: That is nice that your pet saved you that day, but that in no way makes her a service dog. A dog has to be a highly-trained dog in tasks and public access in order to be a service dog. Most dogs do not have what it takes - many dogs bred by service dog schools don't even pass and are placed in homes as pets. If you try to pass your pet off as a service dog, that is a crime and you will have a high price to pay for breaking all the laws you will be breaking (i.e. passing yourself off as disabled, passing your pet off as a service dog, taking a pet where health laws restrict it, etc.).
Rooooby: Yes, the airlines or somebody else needs to come up with a better way to ship pets. I have seen two pet-friendly (pets-in-cabin) air travel companies try to start up, but I don't think either one has had a single flight yet.
TJill: It isn't easy to take any dog overseas. It is best to leave pets at home when travelling to Europe and such on vacation. If you had to move there, that's a different story, but there would be more than six months of preparation work and LOTS of expenses to bring your dog. There are professional shipping companies that deal with overseas moves - looking into one for an overseas move would be a good idea.