Has anyone here with a legitimate medical alert service dog faced off with someone with fake “service animals”?

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 20 Nov 2017 20:41:26 -0500

Has anyone here with a legitimen medical alert service dog like mine faced off with fake service dogs and other fake “service animals”? This makes it difficult for real Veterans with real problems to get services they need. If you have, what did you do or say about it? I know that I had to try to keep my Military baring and not blow up. Difficult indeed!

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 20 at 2017 8:48 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 20 Nov 2017 20:48:22 -0500

I have heard of people who put a service dog vest on their pets in order to fly them on airlines. I think that is despicable.

Response by Cpl Justin Goolsby made Nov 20 at 2017 10:14 PM

Cpl Justin Goolsby — Mon, 20 Nov 2017 22:14:50 -0500

I don't have a service dog, but I do know people who do have "fake service dogs". I understand the seriousness of service dogs, so when I see these fakers, I call them out on it. It's nothing against the dogs themselves, but much like a phony veteran, a fake service animal can give a real service animal a bad name.

What happens when that untrained "service animal" chews the face of a toddler off??? This helps bring about legislation barring actual service animals from public spaces.

Much like gun control, the only ones that would be affected are the law abiding people.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 21 at 2017 12:31 PM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 21 Nov 2017 12:31:06 -0500

How does that conversation even get started? If you see a person with a service dog, do you Automatically walk up and demand to see their papers? I'm not sure I understand how these encounters begin, if you are just going about your business. When your dog sniffs the other dog's butt, does he give you a signal that means "something doesn't smell right about that guy"?

Plus, the ADA makes it illegal for any public place employee to ask for any kind of documentation for the dog. By law, you can only ask the dog owner if the dog is for help with a disability and what task is the dog trained to do. That's it. You can't ask for papers or for a demonstration of the dogs skills. And there is no official registration credentials for service dogs at the federal level. So I'm curious how you engage the owner in the first place.

Response by MSgt Neil Greenfield made Nov 21 at 2017 3:02 PM

MSgt Neil Greenfield — Tue, 21 Nov 2017 15:02:23 -0500

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Response by Cpl Joyce Milo McKinley made Nov 28 at 2017 12:06 PM

Cpl Joyce Milo McKinley — Tue, 28 Nov 2017 12:06:59 -0500

My Service Dog, Mia. She's an American Staffordshire Terrier, also known as Amstaff, a medium-sized, short-coated American dog breed. It is one of several breeds commonly known as pit bulls.
Life span: 10 – 15 years
Temperament: Tenacious, Loyal, Devoted, Courageous, Friendly, Attentive

She is stout and is trained for Stability. She helps me up/down stairs, with walking (when needed). I bring her EVERYWHERE, and she is very intimidating looking, so ppl generally stay away. Young children though, they ALWAYS run up and pet her, which she's okay with, but I'd prefer they not touch her, especially when she's working. Though I've allowed it, especially when surrounded by children.

Response by CSM Thomas McGarry made Nov 28 at 2017 1:01 PM

CSM Thomas McGarry — Tue, 28 Nov 2017 13:01:04 -0500

I'm not well versed on the requirements for having a Service Dog but I think you should have to have a prescription or some other paperwork to prove the Service Dog is legit. I often see people with dogs in stores and even restaurants or other public places and think the owner of these establishments should not be afraid to ask more questions regarding this. After all if the dog ends up biting or otherwise injuring someone who do you think will be sued along with the party that owns the dog?