May 2020
An epidemic of fake service dogs is a problem for not only high-rise communities but also airlines, restaurants and other venues.
Certified service animals are typically dogs which have undergone specialized training to aid people. They assist owners who suffer from seizures, autism, impaired vision and even psychiatric issues. A pet wearing a service animal vest and possessing papers suggesting certification or “emotional support animal” status causes problems for everyone.
In one building that allowed one pet per unit, a resident claimed a second emotional support dog as necessary for the first dog.
Airlines have reported numerous problems. A fake service animal on an airplane pooped in the aisle causing fliers to get sick and required an unscheduled landing. An emotional support pit bull bit a passenger. Another passenger, sitting at a window seat was attacked and mauled by an “emotional support dog” seated next to him. Turkeys, ducks, snakes, spiders and even a diapered kangaroo have all been presented as emotional support animals.
Fake emotional support animals provides entry by animals to areas where they are banned including condo buildings, supermarkets, restaurants, theatres and public spaces. These uncontrolled and sometimes aggressive animals have been known to attack people and certified service animals.
Governments, corporations and public institutions have all imposed restrictions intended to prevent abuse of the service animal designation.
Dog catching, as a profession, once kept stray dogs away from public areas and other inappropriate places. Today dogs are returning to these same areas in the guise of emotional support animals.
During a production of Cats, a “service dog” ran onto the stage and attacked one of the characters.
A properly trained service dog receives months of training at a cost of $25,000 or more. Certified service animals will not bark, growl or chase people or other animals. They do not run away and get lost unless scared. They are trained where and how to poop.
