Fake service dogs

[Saeleofu]

Originally Posted by frostfell

The point is, its not actually hurting anyone if the "faker dog" is perfectly well behaved and looks and acts in every way like the real thing, yet isnt. What the **** do you care? Get off your high horse! Your precious sensibilities are not the issue here

CharlieDog happens to be a service dog handler. She has every right to not want people to drag their pets with them to stores. I'm also a service dog handler, as is Romy, and several other people in this discussion. You need to get off your high horse and realize it's against the law, and you're not entitled to drag your pet with you. It's a pet, you don't NEED it to function in public. We NEED our service dogs to function in public. It's no different than a cane or a wheelchair.

[~Jessie~]

Originally Posted by CharlieDog

Actually I don't care as long as the dog is well behaved, which I already stated, but thanks for your asinine assumptions.

And since it's only a misdemeanor who cares then? Since it's not a felony and all to fake an SD. That's brilliant.

And really the issue here is that people are being downright douchebags over breaking the law because they don't care about the law? They don't agree with the law because it doesn't affect them?

It's ridiculous and belittling to assume that everyone who "fakes" an SD has a "well behaved" dog. That's not even the issue.

When did I say "only" a misdemeanor? I said everything I'm reading says it could be a misdemeanor. And yes, a misdemeanor IS less of a deal than a felony. A misdemeanor is less serious, and a felony is more serious. Both obviously are the results of breaking a law. I just want to get the facts straight when people are throwing around the word felony.

[CharlieDog]

Originally Posted by Saeleofu

CharlieDog happens to be a service dog handler. She has every right to not want people to drag their pets with them to stores. I'm also a service dog handler, as is Romy, and several other people in this discussion. You need to get off your high horse and realize it's against the law, and you're not entitled to drag your pet with you. It's a pet, you don't NEED it to function in public. We NEED our service dogs to function in public. It's no different than a cane or a wheelchair.

Well she said it much better than I did

I don't care if they passed a law or changed the laws saying that pet dogs can come into public places where they normally wouldn't be allowed. Obviously, if that were to happen it's a long time off because idiot dogs and their idiot owners ruin it for everyone else.

I don't care if you bring your dog to an outdoor fair where pets aren't normally allowed as long as you stay the hell out of my way and don't let your dog interfere with my SD who is working. I don't even care if your dog is at an outdoor patio restaurant, again as long as the dog is well behaved and cared for. And not interfering with mine.

What I DO care about is people who bring unruly illbehaved dogs into anywhere, and then I get stopped, and questioned, and given the third degree over whether or not MY dog is an actual SD because I don't flash badges, ID cards and the like around to boss my way in somewhere with my pet.

And I have several pets. I don't feel the need to bring any of them anywhere they're not allowed.

[CharlieDog]

Originally Posted by ~Jessie~

When did I say "only" a misdemeanor? And yes, a misdemeanor IS less of a deal than a felony. I'm just trying to get my facts straight.

So what if it's less of a big deal than a felony. It's still breaking the law.

The only reason I can see faking a disability for fund raisers and checks is a felony is because it costs the Gov money. But how many people actually get caught doing that either?

[AdrianneIsabel]

Originally Posted by RBark

In other words, comments like "everyone has a disability these days" are not true. Just having an impairment does not qualify someone to be disabled.

I must be honest, that was extremely tongue in cheek.

[Saeleofu]

Originally Posted by release the hounds

and people are jerks for driving slow in the left lane too

But it's not illegal.

[~Jessie~]

Originally Posted by CharlieDog

So what if it's less of a big deal than a felony. It's still breaking the law.

The only reason I can see faking a disability for fund raisers and checks is a felony is because it costs the Gov money. But how many people actually get caught doing that either?

Of course it's still breaking the law.

But telling people they're going to get a felony for pretending to have a service dog isn't being entirely honest. I just think it's important to get the facts straight before saying you'll get a felony for bringing your pet to the grocery store.

[Greenmagick]

I just see purposely lying about something to fufill a want as totally on a different level than other things we are discussing here. And I am sure at some point the amount of dogs in a place would become an issue. If you start having multiple dogs in small restaurants, stores, etc I can see where limits would start being set (which would make the handicap parking comparison valid).

[CharlieDog]

Originally Posted by ~Jessie~

Of course it's still breaking the law.

But telling people they're going to get a felony for pretending to have a service dog isn't being entirely honest. I just think it's important to get the facts straight before saying you'll get a felony for bringing your pet to the grocery store.

I was not aware that there was a difference in the way someone can fake a disability and get charged with something different depending on HOW you fake a disability. I think faking something like that just to bring your pet with you is so incredibly crass and rude it's mind boggling.

[Red Chrome]

Honestly, if the dog is prescribed by a doctor, then nothing else matters to me.

That said, I also think that people get their panties in a wad over this when there is no need too.

Really, it nobody's business about who uses a SD and who doesn't. If someone is truly faking it, they will get caught in the end. Until then, leave other handlers alone.