Fake Service Dogs

[Watertender]

Yesterday I went to breakfast with some friends who I meet up with regularly on Wednesday mornings. We meet at Dennys and have a regular table that we sit at. There was a guy in a booth next to the table who had a dog with a vest saying Service Dog and various other patches. As I went to sit down this dog lunges at me growing and snapping. The guy pulled on the harness and stopped the dog but the dog laid under the table still growling. I didn't make a scene or act scared of the dog but as the guy left the dog growled and was aggressive towards a group of people trying to come into the restaurant.

We discussed the matter at the table and asked our server who told us that the dog has caused problems before. We believe that it was a fake service dog just wearing a vest that was purchased so the guy could take his dog anywhere he wants to. If the dog had bitten me it would have been today’s lunch special at Who Flung Dung....

 

[Cholo]

There's no way that was a service dog! I'd have gotten the guy's car tag # and reported it.

This really is a reflection of our society nowadays.

 

[contender]

I agree with Cholo.

Fake,, and should be reported. If he's a local there,, you can call the police and complain about the aggression towards you if it happens again. Let the LEO's investigate. If it's a service dog,, he'll have verification.

 

[MHtractorguy]

Just curious....what breed of type of dog was it?

 

[Jeepnik]

By far the vast majority of “service dogs” aren’t trained or registered. But anyone can by all the vests and patches they want on the web. The problem is just asking to see the animal’s documentation can result in ADA complaints if not outright suits.

Public places like parks, playgrounds or even buildings don’t dare try to insure that properly trained animals only are allowed. But the same folks that violate pet restrictions are the ones with fake handicap parking placards. Or who because they think themselves special just park in those places.

Fact is for the most part people get away with such poor behavior. The authorities and business owners will never stop this trend. It has to come from inside the individual. Not likely to happen as long as people feel “entitled”.

 

[Jeepnik]

Here’s a great example. This is a city of Malibu vehicle parked in a handicap spot. When I called the driver on it he gave a smart a””response that it was just tough luck if a handicap person needed the spot. The city of Malibu refused to do anything.



But the CHP did.

 

[nekvermont]

There is no shame anymore.

 

[Watertender]

Just curious....what breed of type of dog was it?

It was a larger dog with pit bull in the mixture. If I see them again I will get a plate number and report them. I have no problem with a real service animal but there are a lot of people scamming with the fake vests. I saw one lovely example of a fake in Walmart leave a steaming pile in the aisle....

 

[Goldstar225]

Unfortunately many people don't have integrity and use it as a means to tote their pet around. They do not have to present a certificate and the ADA site will certify a service animal with an online application for a $69.00 fee.

Fom the ADA website:

How can I tell if an animal is really a service animal and not just a pet?
To determine if an animal is a service animal, you may ask two questions:

1. Is the dog a service animal required because of a disability?
2. What work or task has the dog been trained to perform?

You may not ask these questions if the need for the service animal is obvious. Examples include when a dog is guiding an individual who is blind or is pulling a person's wheelchair. In addition:

• You may not ask about the nature or extent of an individual's disability
• You may not require proof that the animal has been certified, trained or licensed as a service animal
• You may not require the animal to wear an identifying vest or tag
• You may not ask that the dog demonstrate its ability to perform the task or work

 

[Wyandot Jim]

It IS NOT the dogs fault how it acted. It is the owners fault. He is the one that needs to be talked to like a stepchild.

 

[Mobuck]

I see people(?) dragging pooch dogs here and there on a 10' leash or maybe carrying a 'pocket model' pooch. After such a person made a scene when asked if her pooch was a certified service dog or what service the dog provided, I totally refrain from even making eye contact with these POSERS. As far as I can tell, most are only 'service dogs' in that they serve to attract attention of the servee.
There are a couple of guys in the closest larger size town who stumble around with tattered BDU's and a dog. I have no clue as to whether these are truly Veterans or again, just POSERS looking for attention(or a handout).
I've been around a few REAL service and/or guide dogs and not seen one act aggressively toward a stranger while working. My Son had a 'companion dog' (not a certified service/guide dog) that stayed at his side anytime he was outside the house. Home raised and trained, this dog would show aggression in defense of his human(bit me a few times during arguments with Son). Not a dog one would take out in public but well suited for Son's time spent outside on the farm.

 

[gramps]

Back in the 90’s, I was an Infection Control Nurse Epidemiologist at a hospital when this man and wife came in with an elderly dog that was wearing a vest saying service dog in training. The dogs hair was matted, and stunk. I kicked them out, amid claims of a lawsuit, that never happened. They tried that trick a month later, and got the same treatment. That man’s dog growling and lunging at you is assault, contact made becomes battery. Treat it as such.
gramps

 

[Watertender]

Back in the 90’s, I was an Infection Control Nurse Epidemiologist at a hospital when this man and wife came in with an elderly dog that was wearing a vest saying service dog in training. The dogs hair was matted, and stunk. I kicked them out, amid claims of a lawsuit, that never happened. They tried that trick a month later, and got the same treatment. That man’s dog growling and lunging at you is assault, contact made becomes battery. Treat it as such.
gramps

I didn't know the fake service dog scam went that far back. It shouldn't surprise me but the gall of people trying this is amazing. If I encounter this guy and his dog again I will report it to the authorities. If the dog bites me it is not going to end well for both the dog and the idiot thinking that he is so smart.
At the hospital I worked at before the one that I work for now I had dealings with a couple of real service dogs. They were a pleasure to assist and I made sure that they were treated well. I had a couple of nice containers for water for the dogs and I would bring them water with ice. It was a little something that I could do to make the patient feel more comfortable and providing the dog with water was a good thing to do

 

[Wvfarrier]

I got bit by a real service dog. It belonged to a Doctor who had epilepsy. I was shoeing one of her horses and it jumped up and bit me on the ass, had to have stitches

 

[trebor44]

Cattle prods, taser wands etc. work wonders when needed.

 

[Dave P.]

Cattle prods, taser wands etc. work wonders when needed.

So does a hoof rasp.

 

[WV460hunter]

Yesterday I went to breakfast with some friends who I meet up with regularly on Wednesday mornings. We meet at Dennys and have a regular table that we sit at. There was a guy in a booth next to the table who had a dog with a vest saying Service Dog and various other patches. As I went to sit down this dog lunges at me growing and snapping. The guy pulled on the harness and stopped the dog but the dog laid under the table still growling. I didn't make a scene or act scared of the dog but as the guy left the dog growled and was aggressive towards a group of people trying to come into the restaurant.

We discussed the matter at the table and asked our server who told us that the dog has caused problems before. We believe that it was a fake service dog just wearing a vest that was purchased so the guy could take his dog anywhere he wants to. If the dog had bitten me it would have been today’s lunch special at Who Flung Dung....

I heard Larry the Cable guy talking about that.. hilarious. But yeah that can be a serious situation. I seen a lady on TV that had an mini horse for a service animal.

 

[PinnedAndRecessed]

At least one business locally put up a sign that says animals aren't allowed unless it's a seeing eye dog with a blind owner.

I'm sick of attention whores bringing their mutts into places of business. Like, the dope addicts living in boxes under the trestle bringing their mutt into the grocery store, and putting those filthy animals in the shopping cart.

Some housewife will later use that filthy cart, putting her groceries where the mutt put his butt. Then she'll take the groceries home and put the bags on her countertop. The same countertop she uses to prepare meals for her family.

This freaking culture is right out of a Mad Max movie set.

 

[Watertender]

Yesterday there was someone with a designer dog wearing a vest in the meat market that I go to. She said it was an anxiety dog. The woman is batcrap crazy anyway and they are glad when she leaves.

 

[Dave P.]

putting those filthy animals in the shopping cart.

Some housewife will later use that filthy cart, putting her groceries where the mutt put his butt. Then she'll take the groceries home and put the bags on her countertop. The same countertop she uses to prepare meals for her family.

Yet other's put their drooling petri dish runny nosed toddlers in the cart....I'd rather take my chances from the dog's butt.

 

[Huskerguy72]

I own rental property and this is a big problem. Pets in general are a major problem. It is estimated that 90% of all renters have at least one pet. Everyone claims their pet is clean, quiet, well trained, doesn't bite and just adorable. Many of these people can barely afford rent, much less the cost of multiple animals.

Renters have figured out the service dog way to get around things. Knew a lady who the most worthless dog and no one but her could stand the dog. She sent him to obedience school and wanted to get him registered as a service dog so she could take him on flights and travel. What a joke, he could never handle it.

There is a difference between a service dog and a comfort pet. As a society, we have gone way over oars on these pets, not everyone should own them if they can't take of them properly. I dislike going into stores where people take their pets in. To me it is rude and inconsiderate for those who are afraid of dogs or have allergies to them. Their leashes string across isles and block access and don't get me started about people who sneak or take animals into restaurants!

I say all this while the cat sits here sleeping like a good cat should.

 

[Dave P.]

Yesterday there was someone with a designer dog wearing a vest in the meat market that I go to. She said it was an anxiety dog. The woman is batcrap crazy anyway and they are glad when she leaves.

Must have had her clone in the store last Saturday, some kind of yappy little rodent of a dog. Damn thing would not stop barking, I finally
suggested she shut it up or remove it...they were insulted and left pretty quick. There's a sale I can live happier without!

 

[Watertender]

Must have had her clone in the store last Saturday, some kind of yappy little rodent of a dog. Damn thing would not stop barking, I finally
suggested she shut it up or remove it...they were insulted and left pretty quick. There's a sale I can live happier without!

I know some stores welcome animals. I don't like when they are in the grocery store or in a restaurant unless they are true service animals. I have witnessed some very stupid things with dogs in stores. If you have an aggressive dog do NOT bring it in a store where it may try to fight with other dogs or get nasty with people. I will not tolerate any animal that does not act right or is prone to being aggressive. I have posted about an interaction with a race horse in other threads and the outcome of the situation. It was a good thing that the horse didn't get ahold of me with its teeth... I feel bad for delivery people and mail carriers dealing with dogs. Sometimes there are exceptions and you have decent dogs to deal with.

Years ago I was hauling gravel regularly from a pit on a rural road. At the one corner there was an Airedale dog named Corky. Corky was a very nice well behaved dog and knew the sound of my International Harvester KB6. He would sit by the driveway and when I would stop at the stop sign he would bark to me. I started carrying a box of dog biscuits in the truck and soon had Corky sitting up and speaking for his treat. One day my dad used the truck to get a load of gravel and Corky ran out for his treat. Dad didn't know about the box of biscuits and when I told him he got a good laugh. So the next time dad went past with the KB6 he gave Corky a biscuit

 

[Kevin]

Both Home Depot and Lowe’s allow dogs inside. Blizzard loves to go to Home Depot with me. Last time I was there some lady employee had a pocket full of dog treats and she asked me first, but just really loaded Blizzard up on dog treats. He didn’t complain at all.

It’s funny, because he is a good dog and when we go to a store and he behaves himself, he knows it. Just like a little kid, so proud that he is good, ya know? Big smile on his face too. He would have made a good therapy dog. I wish we would have gone that route when training him.

I don’t mind dogs in stores. But I haven’t seen a dog in a restaurant.

In Bulgaria cats are pretty common in restaurants. They are usually fat and sassy.

 

[MHtractorguy]

I saw a big goofy white Great Dane with black spots standing between two gender confused tall, skinny humans in line at Lowe's today. The dog was wearing a vest with a sign on it. The sign looked pretty official so I read it. It was an invitation to pet the dog, introduce myself and give her a treat.
The dog tried to go full Kujo when I said hello to it. Lowe's is NOT the place to teach your dog to be nice.

 

[vito]

To take a pet onto a plane requires that the animal be an actual service animal. But years ago any animal that was considered an emotional support animal was allowed to travel in the airplane's cabin with the owner. That was how we all read about the weirdos bringin their "emotional support turkey" or similar animals into a commercial aircraft. I once considered getting a dog "certified" for such purposes, primarily because I am not a fan of having my dog in the cargo hold of a plane. I found online sources that would ask various questions to "determine" the emotional need of the human and thus qualify the pet as a true emotional support animal. It was obvious how to answer those questions and was clearly just a scam to get the "certification" document. I didn't go through the process because it just felt wrong, and I was a bit concerned if someday such a certification could affect my legal concealed carry status. I would not want to be renewing my concealed carry license and have a question raised about any self admitted emotional support needs.

 

[Buck7144]

There are service dogs, which this was definitely not one them there are support dogs, cats, chickens snakes, turkeys. Any animal can be a support animal with their little vest or tags but service dogs undergo training and the person they support train with them. People took snakes, pigs and turkeys on airplanes claiming they were support animals and Delta was required to allow them opn board without cage but a support dog had to be caged. Rather have a lab under foot than a Boa constrictor or a blame Vietnamese pig!

 

[Ride1949]

 

[Mobuck]

As I mentioned, my blind Son had a couple of companion dogs over a span of 7 years. Neither was trained for anything other than total devotion and the attitude + ability to make any threat pay dearly for messing with their human. The dogs weren't house pets and the only time they went anywhere was an occasional 'show and tell' at school.
I understand some of the problems associated with PTSD(I would probably pass whatever test identifies a PTSD sufferer) and if an animal fills the needs of those PTSD patients, good enough. But just using some mongrel on a string to attract attention or gain some feeling of sympathy isn't in my play book.

 

[Hvymax]

Every Defect and their Cousin needs their Emotional Support Gerbil!!!