New Florida law addresses "fake" service animals with possible jail time

[PhotoDave219]

That's where the Doctors note - and perhaps X-rays come in.
My post was meant as sarcasm.
I think scooters have been a wonderful way for people to get out, who's physical condition had previously prevented them from doing so.
Of course, I also believe that - people being people - there are multitudes of able bodied people taking advantage.
I also believe that there are a lot of people who are letting there bodies atrophy by giving up on walking.

Must have missed that sarcasm font.

 

[PhotoDave219]

I agree with you on all points except for the PC police. They are everywhere.

Well this isnt people being PC, these are cases of trying to respond to people committing fraud.

 

[golden james]

Service dogs love Disney World Too

 

[arko]

Its hard to refuse the person entry, but the owner has to keep the animal under control. The difference between a fully trained service dog and an untrained dog is fairly obvious. This just gives the establishment an option when an animal is not under control and the owner will not leave.

 

[Tom Morrow]

While its not anywhere near as big of an issue at WDW as the old GAC card scamming, I am all for this.

Small anecdote:
Once, while in Epcot, an older man who was alone had a "service dog" on a leash with him. He was encouraging others and kids to pet it. The dog got excited and started jumping all over people including myself and biting a little more than playfully. The man's response was "this is his way of playing... he must recognize that you are depressed!" I told him not to project assumptions onto me and that his dog is clearly not a service animal and shouldn't be here, as service animals are trained to remain calm. I was going to alert some CM's but saw that some management types were already on the way to talk to him.

I also don't think this should be an issue as documentation of an animal being a service animal shouldn't be hard to prove.

 

[CDavid]

If 'proof' for parking in a handicapped/disabled spot can be required, which of course it is in the form of a special license plate or hang-tag, I see no reason why some manner of documentation should not be required of those persons accompanied by a service animal. A wallet sized card or similar is not an undue burden to place on the individual, and is far more reliable than whether the animals vest has an insignia.

Laws prohibiting people from being asked for reasonable documentation on their need for a service animal can be amended just as easily as this new law was passed. That does not mean people should routinely be asked to provide such, but rather should the legitimacy of the animal be questioned, proof is available.

 

[flynnibus]

Laws prohibiting people from being asked for reasonable documentation on their need for a service animal can be amended just as easily as this new law was passed. That does not mean people should routinely be asked to provide such, but rather should the legitimacy of the animal be questioned, proof is available.

The fundamental difference is... the people that wrote the law intended for people to be included BY DEFAULT - not that they need to be approved to be included. The intent and good willed nature of the law, makes it ripe for abuse by the unscrupulous. It's also very difficult when you get into the details because there is no such thing as federal registration or vetting process. So now it would be up to each state to define processes, etc.. and the whole thing gets messy.

And many people feel that it's better to accept the small percentage of bad... if it means helping the majority without burdening them.

 

[RandomPrincess]

While its not anywhere near as big of an issue at WDW as the old GAC card scamming, I am all for this.

Small anecdote:
Once, while in Epcot, an older man who was alone had a "service dog" on a leash with him. He was encouraging others and kids to pet it. The dog got excited and started jumping all over people including myself and biting a little more than playfully. The man's response was "this is his way of playing... he must recognize that you are depressed!" I told him not to project assumptions onto me and that his dog is clearly not a service animal and shouldn't be here, as service animals are trained to remain calm. I was going to alert some CM's but saw that some management types were already on the way to talk to him.

I also don't think this should be an issue as documentation of an animal being a service animal shouldn't be hard to prove.

Everyone I have ever met in public with a legit service dog asks you not to touch or pet it. Most have signs on the dogs vest letting you know it is working and not to pet it.

 

[PhotoDave219]

The fundamental difference is... the people that wrote the law intended for people to be included BY DEFAULT - not that they need to be approved to be included. The intent and good willed nature of the law, makes it ripe for abuse by the unscrupulous. It's also very difficult when you get into the details because there is no such thing as federal registration or vetting process. So now it would be up to each state to define processes, etc.. and the whole thing gets messy.

And many people feel that it's better to accept the small percentage of bad... if it means helping the majority without burdening them.

Well they wrote the law thinking that people wouldn't be awful and pass themselves off fraudulently in order to either skip lines at a theme park or bring their pet into a theme park.

You shouldn't have to penalize the disabled simply because the perfectly capable have to be flaming piles of crap.

 

[flynnibus]

Well they wrote the law thinking that people wouldn't be awful and pass themselves off fraudulently in order to either skip lines at a theme park or bring their pet into a theme park..

I've seen plenty of references in judgements and from the initial law makers that confirm that the intent was tolerating some abuse is an acceptable tradeoff. They knew abuse would be out there, it's part of every round of comments on new standards, but the premise is about encouraging inclusion and 'removing barriers' to mainstreaming people. Personally I think it all goes WAY too far... but that's what congress wanted the law to be, and has reaffirmed it too.

Theme parks are just luxuries... think about all the playgrounds that have been ruined for kids and removed simply because they had to be inclusive vs simply 'here is something if you are up for it...'. Pools have to add expensive equipment they are likely never to use... elevators everywhere.. etc.

 

[RSoxNo1]

I am 100% behind this. It's also an odd choice for the first law ever passed in the state of Florida.

 

[Victor Kelly]

I have been training my specially bred velociraptor to be a service animal for me. If some one makes my anxiety or depression flare up, it will eat them.

 

[NowInc]

Keep in mind, EVERYONE I have personally met who has had a legitimate service dog had it CLEARLY marked with not only the vest, but the license as well. Its usually only the scammers who "refuse" to offer proof.

 

[The Empress Lilly]

....miniature horses...

Now I want one! Imma paint it pink, add glitters and glue a horn to its forehead and give it to my niece for a birthday present. Then I'll ride her around Fantasyland on it.

 

[Cosmic Commando]

I have been training my specially bred velociraptor to be a service animal for me. If some one makes my anxiety or depression flare up, it will eat them.

I saw a documentary recently that suggests there may be some problems with your idea. Jurassic something?

 

[Vegas Disney Fan]

Seems like a giant can of worms. I like it in principle, but the issue becomes "prove it."

I think the threat of jail will discourage a lot of people with fake service animals but I think the main deterrent from the law is knowing you will go to jail if your fake service animal bites someone, goes to the bathroom in a store, is barking, or is doing anything that would be highly unlikely with a real trained service dog. Personally I don't care if an animal is a service animal or not if it's well behaved and not doing anything it shouldn't be, it's the out of control animals that need to be dealt with and they will betray themselves without the police needing to actively look.

 

[NowInc]

I think the threat of jail will discourage a lot of people with fake service animals but I think the main deterrent from the law is knowing you will go to jail if your fake service animal bites someone, goes to the bathroom in a store, is barking, or is doing anything that would be highly unlikely with a real trained service dog. Personally I don't care if an animal is a service animal or not if it's well behaved and not doing anything it shouldn't be, it's the out of control animals that need to be dealt with and they will betray themselves without the police needing to actively look.

Id agree with you except one thing......

Its Florida.

 

[OliveMcFly]

We encountered a lot of service dogs at work. Most were very friendly if they even paid attention to us to begin with. Every now and then you would have a dog bark when you came close and now I wonder if it was just a "service" animal.

 

[Incomudro]

Can I bring a helper monkey?

 

[G00fyDad]

I think the threat of jail will discourage a lot of people with fake service animals but I think the main deterrent from the law is knowing you will go to jail if your fake service animal bites someone, goes to the bathroom in a store, is barking, or is doing anything that would be highly unlikely with a real trained service dog. Personally I don't care if an animal is a service animal or not if it's well behaved and not doing anything it shouldn't be, it's the out of control animals that need to be dealt with and they will betray themselves without the police needing to actively look.

You are clearly not familiar with the vast majority of humanity.