Fake Service Dogs
Readily available to the general public on a variety of websites, including eBay and Amazon, for way less than $100:
Of course, this type of easy access has allowed for rampant abuse of the service dog regulations that are in place -- in place for a reason.
Missouri is working to address the issue:
Legitimate users of animal assistants say the rise in the number of fake support animals has made it harder for them to find acceptance for their trained companions in stores and other public places.
“These types of service dogs help veterans. It also puts forth some reasonable regulations to stop fake service animals,” said Sen. Denny Hoskins, R-Warrensburg, who sponsored the legislation.
Under the federal Americans With Disabilities Act, restaurants and other businesses are required to allow service dogs and miniature horses — the only two animals recognized as service animals — in areas open to the public.
The proposed law, which now goes to the House for further debate, would add mental health to a list of reasons why people have a service dog, rather than limiting it to, for example, people with physical limitations.
The legislation notes that a psychological service dog would be trained for an owner who has a psychiatric disability, medical condition or developmental disability.
Under the proposal, any person knowingly misrepresenting a dog as a service dog for the purposes of receiving accommodations regarding service dogs under the Americans With Disabilities Act and the Fair Housing Act would be guilty of a misdemeanor.
Reports of individuals impersonating a person with a disability or misrepresenting an animal as a service animal would be handled by the Missouri Commission on Human Rights.
And so is Illinois:
Misrepresenting a dog as trained a service dog could soon come with a hefty fine under the terms of a new proposal in Springfield.
House Bill 3905 would require a person to have their dog professionally trained to wear anything indicating the animal is a service dog or be brought into any business that only allows service animals.
The second time someone is found to have misrepresented their pet as a service animal, they could be fined hundreds of dollars.
Why do we have to waste time passing common-sense laws like this so as to prevent human stupidity?
Grace & Peace & Love to you all -
Matt
