out and about

[courtnek]

Carolk9s napisał(a):

This is not directed at anyone here but a carryover from another list that had a similar topic.
PLEASE do not try to pass your dog off as a service dog. The people who NEED their dogs with them have fought long and hard to be allowed to bring their dogs into places that are normally off limits.
If anyone were to indicate their dog is a service dog when it is not, and for some strange reason that dog misbehaved, it could rock the boat for those who truly need their dogs with them.
There was a thread on this other list regarding Home Depot planning on banning dogs, apparently a contractor brought his dog along, the dog barked, ran around some, and scared some people, and Home Depot may have to ban dogs from their places of business. Legally they cannot ban service dogs at this time but still, no sense in making them think about it.

right now, in the US at least, it's a moot point. It is a Federal Law. The store doesnt get the choice. I agree with you however, because misbehaving dogs that the employees think are service dogs will tend to make them look down on real service dogs.

there were a lot of restaurants, and even airlines, that fought the law when it was first passed, and they lost. Assistance dogs are allowed anywhere the owner is entitled to go.

[courtnek]

this is an excerpt from the actual legal guidelines

Keep your dog immaculate and well groomed and be sure that his or her behavior is quiet and unobtrusive. Carry proper identification for your dog and be willing to provide it in response to a polite inquiry. After all, inappropriate behavior by a pet passed off as an assistance dog creates a bad image and problems for the legitimate assistance dog, so verification of the dog’s status protects us all.

But do be assertive if you are harassed or denied access. Know the laws that support you and be prepared to describe them. Carry a copy of your state law and the ADA regulation in your wallet or your dog’s backpack. If you travel, check the laws of the states you’ll be visiting.


so Home Depot, or anyone else, can deny access to a non-assistance dog, but not a real assistance dog.

hope that helps.

[Malamum]

I think it's so cool that you guys in the US can take your dogs so many places. Here I wouldn't even be able to get a dog into the shopping mall itself let alone into any individual shops.

It's just not the done thing here - which is a reall shame :-?