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I'd like a crutch — four legs, a dangling tongue and a wagging tail, please
Some people really need a dog to help them get around in public.
They may have "invisible disabilities" or other problems which prevent them from going to a store, a restaurant or a doctor's office without their dog. America has a program for that, called service dogs. The dogs are specially trained to, for example, help save the life of their master in a panic attack or a medical emergency. They are different from seeing-eye dogs. Californian reporter Emily Hagedorn writes about this in the Aug. 8 Eye Street. But the rules in this program are so vague that people who just want their dog as a companion get away with telling people they have a service dog. As a for instance, the chihuahua that Paris Hilton carries around is an accessory, not a service dog. The solution for all this is for people to be honest. But we know that doesn't work. Should we not worry about this? Should we make the law really specific? Or should we, as the law permits, arrest the offenders on misdemeanor charges punishable by up to six months in jail? How about shamingt people into acting responsibly? Posted by Steve E. Swenson 13 comments from 11 users
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posted by
randomfactor
on Aug 7, 2006 at 01:42 PM
Make the punishment the same as taking a handicapped parking space. $275 per infraction.
posted by
bakoblue
on Aug 7, 2006 at 02:33 PM
For those dishonest folks who are caught, their sentence should be 50 hours of community service picking up dog droppings at our local parks.
posted by
ProgressivePete2
on Aug 7, 2006 at 02:37 PM
Can they come by my front yard too. There's a dog in my neighborhood that loves to poop there. Oooooo if I catch that mutt...
posted by
robbwillis
on Aug 7, 2006 at 03:34 PM
Chewy, our Lab/Sheppard could service someone that needs to fly like a kite on a leash.
posted by
dgrealish
on Aug 7, 2006 at 05:20 PM
This has been a pet peeve of mine (pun intended) for sometime now. I was having breakfast at the IHOP on Wible one morning when a woman brought a small dog in the restaurant. When I mentioned it to a waitress who had just been handling the dog and was now about to handle my food, she acted like she knew nothing about it. There are laws in existence to insure public safety in food service, but it seems even those are paid little attention these days. Perhaps a permit for a service dog is the answer. The same process that's used for the handicapped parking placard could be used, with no fees for the person needing the service animal. And I agree, the same fine as for parking in a handicapped zone for the first infraction and forfeiture of the animal for the next.
posted by
tonyh
on Aug 7, 2006 at 07:37 PM
I like my Dog better than I like most people I meet. "She's smarter and cleaner than your Honor Student". Where I live, it's perfectly legal to take a dog anywhere that food isn't served, and I do. She doesn't bother anyone. She doesn't smell or make a mess. There are an awful lot of people (small kids included) who pet her and get a big kick out of her. She's very well trained and knows how to behave in public. She's like my third kid.Periodically, she does have to go, so I carry clean-up stuff in the truck with me. It's very rude to let your pet leave a mess. I think it all boils down to how considerate the owner is, of other people. It's not so much the dog, it's more the owner. If you follow basic rules, most people don't mind a bit. 1) CLEAN, GROOMED animals only 2) WELL BEHAVED / Socialized and supervised animals only 3) Owners, LEAVE NO TRACE of your pet. 4) Owners, keep your pets away from others who are uncomfortable with their presance. It's called being considerate of others............................... By the way, my "Third Kid" is a 47lb. Standard Poodle (Field Cut, no FOOFY STUFF) named Liza. She's as calm as a Cucumber, well mannered and loves everybody. I put a lot of work into her and I love her dearly. posted by
NancyII
on Aug 7, 2006 at 10:16 PM
YIKES !!! What happened to the looooooong post I put here???? My ISP stinks and I've had nothing but trouble lately..It must have shut off in the middle and I didn't know it.ANYWAY...Drealish..you should have reported that restaurant to the health department right away..Is IS illegal to take non service dogs into a place that serves food. Having said that, you should look up the actual laws on it. It's very enlightning and disappointing. Now one of MY pet peeves that doesn't involve dogs but rather children. I absolutely HATE it when people set their babies or toddlers on the counter where the workers set my food. The kid may have wet through the diaper and I prefer not to have that around the food I eat. People also set them on the table in restaurants. Good grief !!!!! I was a waitress for many years and I could write horror stories about the things people let kids do. I'm hyperventilating.....I need a paper bag. (To breathe in..not to put over my face) posted by
dgrealish
on Aug 7, 2006 at 10:24 PM
I agree Nancy, no "butts" about it.
posted by
frijol7877
on Aug 8, 2006 at 05:23 AM
I agree with most of you. I am tired of seeing or hearing about people abusing any laws about service animals allowed in public places. All it does is make it harder for legit people to do what they need to do. I am a K9 dog handler in the military and am always going on special missions around the US for one reason or another with my dog. I have a hard enough time just getting him through airport security even with proper paperwork and credentials. He is a service dog not just for me but for this country and people give us trouble just walking through an office building because they don't like dogs. He is a very well-behaved dog and well groomed. He works for love and attention and gets plenty of it from both me and the public. But since it is hard enough to get through public places with him already, these jokers want to go and pass their dogs off as a service dog and are only going to ruin it for the rest of us. posted by
pawz
on Aug 8, 2006 at 11:48 AM
I have mixed feelings on this one, but pretty much agree with Tonyh. I have 3 dogs, a very large black labrador, a shepard mix, and a very tiny 2 1/2 lb chihuahua mix who pretty much goes where we go. She is the one that is pictured in my profile and as the "avatar". We have a special carrier for her that looks very similar to an infants carrier and use it whenever we go into a store for brief shopping. I have not, and would not however take her into a resturant as most people have issues with them at the table. That is a whole other topic which I will not get into here because it's not the issue. I am a huge supporter of service dogs, and people need to realize how much training goes into these dogs and the support they give their human companions, and not try to pass off thier own as such. Very cruel. If they want to be involved in some type of animal/people venture, train your K9 companion to be a therapy dog and they can go into nursing homes and some hosptial areas for the sick and elderly. It is an amazing thing to watch the power of healing thru an animal. Animals bring so much comfort. To those of your who don't like dogs or animals, I feel sorry for you and in my opinion if my dog doesn't trust you, then neither can I.
posted by
tonyh
on Aug 8, 2006 at 12:00 PM
My Dog loves to go to Boy Scout meetings and on Campouts. She's visited a couple of nursing homes (on request of the management), although she's not been spacifically trained for it. Like I said before, I've got a lot of time invested in training her and she does real well in public. posted by
anonymous
on Aug 8, 2006 at 02:49 PM
How about the ppl that need them in public have to get a license and wear it where it is visible like a fishing license. If you need a dog to keep you alive shame shouldnt be an issue for you anymore. posted by
taftrose
on Aug 21, 2006 at 08:33 AM
I Know that Some people Do Need there Guide Dogs and to those I have no prolbam
as for the watress In the Restrant OH MY that is a big No not and not only whould i have reported her to Heath Dept I whould have reported her to her Boss and the Cos Headquorters . A True Compuan dog is Trained to go in to public places Malls restrnts and to lay stil and behave and any one peting them IS wrong You should Never Never Touch a work dog and Most True Guide Dogs have Vests that thay are supost to wear when working so you know thay are true work dogs
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