Is this really a service dog?

[LAKid53]

I agree. Scammers need to be fined when caught and repeat offenders should lose their animal.

Florida Legislature in 2018 session passed legislation that fines individuals with fake service animals. Disney has the legal backing to crack down, if they chose to do so.

 

[Goofy_Disney_Dad]

This is like a low rent Judge Judy episode.

 

[Incomudro]

I found this informative:
https://www.anythingpawsable.com/things-service-dogs-public/

Great and informative post!
Thank You.

 

[Incomudro]

I’d rather have less children at the parks / hotels than less dogs - dogs are usually more well behaved ;-)

Phony service dogs are not replacing kids, they are in addition to kids.
While I share your displeasure with kids who are not well behaved, WDW was created with kids heavily in mind.
It was not created for canines.

 

[Incomudro]

It is dangerous for a lot of dogs to be in the cargo area. It’s cruel to even say that. Many small dogs are hypoallergenic.. so that makes the ‘allergy’ claims even more ridiculous.

Even the ones who aren’t hypoallergenic- they’re in a carrier, not sitting on the passengers lap.

I’m sorry, but your comment could be one of the most selfish things that I’ve read here. Don’t like dogs? Fine. But omg, seriously, to talk about banning them from an airplane cabin by lying about allergies does what? Give a person satisfaction that they are causing pain to an animal? A dog is not a peanut, it’s a living thing.

Where does a dog relieve itself when in the passenger cabin of an airline?
The rest of the human passengers have to deal with that.

 

[21stamps]

Where does a dog relieve itself when in the passenger cabin of an airline?
The rest of the human passengers have to deal with that.

What do you guys think that dogs are?lol. I mean, really?
Amazingly.. dogs can hold their urine. They do it every single day, for much longer than most flights.

Dogs don’t pee and poop all over themselves in a carrier or even in their own bed. There’s this wild and crazy training called Potty Training/ Housebroken.

 

[Incomudro]

What do you guys think that dogs are?lol. I mean, really?
Amazingly.. dogs can hold their urine. They do it every single day, for much longer than most flights.

Dogs don’t pee and poop all over themselves in a carrier or even in their own bed. There’s this wild and crazy training called Potty Training/ Housebroken.

And if they don't hold it?
Remember, I am not talking about legit service dogs here.
And, while we're on the subject - I've known plenty of people who's dogs relieve themselves in the house.
I am talking about people scamming the airline with their pet.
I don't believe that such people display the best in dog handling characteristics.
Between boarding and flying, hours go by.
Plus the pet may have anxiety that a legitimate service dog would not.

 

[21stamps]

And if they don't hold it?
Remember, I am not talking about legit service dogs here.
And, while we're on the subject - I've known plenty of people who's dogs relieve themselves in the house.
I am talking about people scamming the airline with their pet.
I don't believe that such people display the best in dog handling characteristics.
Between boarding and flying, hours go by.
Plus the pet may have anxiety that a legitimate service dog would not.

Any dog is allowed on a flight as long as they meet size/breed/carrier requirements.
Service dogs don’t have to be in a carrier.

If you’re talking about people who lie about service dogs, and dogs who are not in a carrier due to their owner lying- I’ve already said they should face consequences. I don’t think their dogs are going to start peeing on someone’s leg.. but I still don’t think they should be allowed.

 

[Incomudro]

Any dog is allowed on a flight as long as they meet size/breed/carrier requirements.
Service dogs don’t have to be in a carrier.

If you’re talking about people who lie about service dogs, and dogs who are not in a carrier due to their owner lying- I’ve already said they should face consequences. I don’t think their dogs are going to start peeing on someone’s leg.. but I still don’t think they should be allowed.

Only service dogs should be allowed in the passenger cabin of planes.
The possible problem of a dog relieving itself during a flight has little to do with the very remote possibility that it would urinate on another person's leg.

 

[Goofy_Disney_Dad]

I can't tell you how embarrassed I was when my father didn't make it to the lavatory on our last flight.

He should probably not fly anymore. Peeing all over the place and stuff.

I can't even...

 

[21stamps]

Only service dogs should be allowed in the passenger cabin of planes.
The possible problem of a dog relieving itself during a flight has little to do with the very remote possibility that it would urinate on another person's leg.

Right, because if someone doesn’t want something, then no one else can have it. Let’s change all of the rules to accommodate those people.

 

[Smiley/OCD]

Could be worse it could be a Emotional Support Peacock.

Nope, couldn't get out of Newark airport...

 

[21stamps]

Nope, couldn't get out of Newark airport...

..the pig was the best.

The airlines invited all sorts of crazy, it’s nice to see that they’re finally doing something about it.

 

[jloucks]

I missed a Service Dog debate!?!? Dang dang dang dang....

Anywho, I would put big money on that dog being a fake. There is not much you can do about it immediately, but that is not to say you should not try. Make a stink (don't be crazy tho and discredit yourself) and if EVERYBODY consistently calls out the cheaters and the fakes, something will be done.

Oh, and if you are ever bitten, sue. Not for big money, it can be for a little amount. But sue to send the message. Sue the venue. Sue the owner. Sue the phony vest seller. And if a fake dog every bites your legit dog, maybe crank up the amount you sue for as THIS issue is at the core of the problem. Endangering and distracting legit dogs is, I think, what will ultimately change the law.

 

[jloucks]

Ultimately, this problem goes beyond Disney...hence all of the headlines about things like the previously noted emotional support peacock and that support hamster that the girl supposedly flushed. I don't think anything will change unless the ADA has a hand in it.

Our most recent trip was the first time I really noticed a lot of dogs that made me wonder if they were truly service dogs (like yorkies and cavaliers being carried by hand or in pet strollers in the parks), but we saw something a few trips ago that still has me scratching my head. Has anyone seen service poodles in Epcot/France before? It looks like there are CMs involved, but it was just so bizarre to me. These were just a couple of them (there were more), but I'd never seen anything like this in the parks and didn't know the purpose...nor did I want to ask since people can get pretty hot if they think you're questioning the legitimacy of such a support animal.

I can believe the standard poodle as a true service dog, but the toy (and other toys and miniatures) had me scratching my head.

There are a few things about this dog that makes me think it is probably legit.

• Right size
• Realistic (but uncommon) Breed
• shoes
• Handle

Liars and cheaters do not typically deal with shoes and handles as they are a pain to deal with. The shoes, oh my goodness, those things are annoying. And stenchy. ...although there has been some funny debate on proper dog foot shoe smell.

 

[21stamps]

I missed a Service Dog debate!?!? Dang dang dang dang....

Anywho, I would put big money on that dog being a fake. There is not much you can do about it immediately, but that is not to say you should not try. Make a stink (don't be crazy tho and discredit yourself) and if EVERYBODY consistently calls out the cheaters and the fakes, something will be done.

Oh, and if you are ever bitten, sue. Not for big money, it can be for a little amount. But sue to send the message. Sue the venue. Sue the owner. Sue the phony vest seller. And if a fake dog every bites your legit dog, maybe crank up the amount you sue for as THIS issue is at the core of the problem. Endangering and distracting legit dogs is, I think, what will ultimately change the law.

This! Complain, confront, whatever.
... but don’t take it out on innocent pets/pet owners who are following rules.

No one is selfish for paying for a pet ticket for a flight. The ticket is there to buy regardless of your approval of it, the pet and owner are not doing anything wrong.

Selfish is pretending that a dog is a comfort or service dog so it can travel for free or enter an establishment where said dog wouldn’t be allowed otherwise.

Know the difference between the situations.

 

[jloucks]

Good post. On your last statement though, if the dog in question is a service animal and is "off duty", shouldn't the owner remove the "Service Dog" vest and let him play? Is that technically a requirement or no?

In the school we work with, the vests do come off to play. Actually, they come off anytime the dog is off duty.

 

[TragicMike]

I missed a Service Dog debate!?!? Dang dang dang dang....

Anywho, I would put big money on that dog being a fake. There is not much you can do about it immediately, but that is not to say you should not try. Make a stink (don't be crazy tho and discredit yourself) and if EVERYBODY consistently calls out the cheaters and the fakes, something will be done.

Oh, and if you are ever bitten, sue. Not for big money, it can be for a little amount. But sue to send the message. Sue the venue. Sue the owner. Sue the phony vest seller. And if a fake dog every bites your legit dog, maybe crank up the amount you sue for as THIS issue is at the core of the problem. Endangering and distracting legit dogs is, I think, what will ultimately change the law.

Why would you sue the venue? I work for a large company with a NO PETS policy and there is nothing I can do if someone claims their dog is a service animal. I can only ask them what the animal is trained to do. I cannot ask for documentation proving that they're a service animal. All I can do is wait until the dog caused a disturbance to ask them to leave the property.

 

[jloucks]

Most service dog schools have a strict requirement that dogs are not allowed to be off leash in an unfenced area. This is for the dogs well being and protection. However there are people who self train their service dogs and there are schools with more relaxed regulations regarding off leash play. Although service dogs are played with when off duty, those vests are usually removed so there is a difference in work time and play time but there are some who leave the vest on and just give a "release command" that lets the dog know they are temporarily off duty. But again not all service dog owners follow those rules. The vest the dog has on is a generic one., so it is unknown whether it is a real service dog or not.

This is one of the many reasons why I think it should be illegal to self train.

And you are very correct in everything you said. ..suspiciously accurate. Betting you are a trainer or owner?

 

[jloucks]

Why would you sue the venue? I work for a large company with a NO PETS policy and there is nothing I can do if someone claims their dog is a service animal. I can only ask them what the animal is trained to do. I cannot ask for documentation proving that they're a service animal. All I can do is wait until the dog caused a disturbance to ask them to leave the property.

Not to sound like a conspiracy nut, but corporations have a lot of money, power, and influence to change laws. So you want to pressure whoever has the power. I know it is not ideal, but it is logical. That being said, probably minimal point in suing a mom-and-pop.