Emotional support animals in restaurants/stores

[JustCurious]

I have noticed more and more lately that there are people who bring animals with them into grocery stores and restaurants and stores in general. I have seen people pushing small dogs and cats in baby strollers in my local grocery store, and in several fast casual type restaurants. I saw one person carrying a small dog in his hands on his chest in my local grocery store. This bothers me, does this bother anyone else? It seems to me that animals should not be allowed in restaurants or grocery stores unless they are legitimate service animals for someone with a legitimate disability, not fake emotional support animals that people claim to be service animals to abuse the system. I think people who abuse the laws designed to help people with legitimate disabilities are doing more harm than good.

https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/animals-and-us/201406/service-animal-scams-growing-problem

http://www.chicagotribune.com/business/ct-biz-emotional-support-animals-20180211-story.html

 

[Fedup]

No small dogs are cute. But what bothers me is people who bring their cute dogs to the swimming pool when there’s sign specific said no dogs or cats allowed in. One time I had to point out to a dog owner.
What also bothers me is that these dog lovers should pick up their dogs poop. When I go out at night for a walk, there’s big dog poop everywhere. Yikes!!

 

[Teacher Terry]

Doesn’t bother me if well behaved.

 

[RobbieB]

No problem here

 

[Teacher Terry]

I rather someone have their dog with them versus a ill behaved child.

 

[Mr._Graybeard]

I've noticed an increasing number of stores encouraging people to bring their dogs.

 

[Chuckanut]

I rather someone have their dog with them versus a ill behaved child.

IMHO, an ill behaved dog is much more hazardous than an ill behaved child. I was in a store where two otherwise good dogs took a dislking to each other. The patrons were soon scrambling out of the way just like movie extras caught between Superman and evil aliens.

I would hope both would be kept out of a store or other public place by the responsible adult in charge of them.

 

[Walt34]

I saw some airheaded bimbo with her "service dog" in CVS last month. Service dog my butt! Pooped on the floor, wandering around (fortunately on a leash) and a vest that had "service dog" written on it no doubt bought on Amazon or someplace.

I like dogs, I grew up with several, but that's way out of line.

 

[Teacher Terry]

Many restaurants here allow dogs on the patio. Never saw one incident. When we are home we leave our dogs home. When we take car trips we look for restaurants with a patio if we have the dogs. Once we had a rescue that was unpredictable so always left her home with a dog sitter unless we have the RV. People just need to lose common sense.

 

[travelover]

Almost ubiquitous at Home Depot and Lowes here in greater Portlandia. I saw one poop on the floor, but in general they are not a problem. I leave my dog at home.

 

[ncbill]

I have noticed more and more lately that there are people who bring animals with them into grocery stores and restaurants and stores in general. I have seen people pushing small dogs and cats in baby strollers in my local grocery store, and in several fast casual type restaurants. I saw one person carrying a small dog in his hands on his chest in my local grocery store. This bothers me, does this bother anyone else? It seems to me that animals should not be allowed in restaurants or grocery stores unless they are legitimate service animals for someone with a legitimate disability, not fake emotional support animals that people claim to be service animals to abuse the system. I think people who abuse the laws designed to help people with legitimate disabilities are doing more harm than good.

https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/animals-and-us/201406/service-animal-scams-growing-problem

Emotional support animals — from dogs to peacocks, real or fake — present challenges for businesses - Chicago Tribune

Unfortunately, there's no way to tell, given one can buy those cute "service" vests for any animal.

 

[NW-Bound]

At the elegant Galleria Vittorio Emanuele in Milan (link below), we saw a dog being walked through the mall, and it pooped right on the beautiful mosaic floor and left a big pile. The dog owner of course walked away quickly with her dog.

A few more steps, a pool of urine from another dog. This time, because the urine spot was not as obvious, people walked over it, and spread it everywhere. I cringed when thinking someone could have slipped and fell on that wet spot.

Thoroughly disgusting!

https://goo.gl/maps/3phL2TvWMeH2

 

[Amethyst]

I enjoy seeing pet animals, if they're under control. But then, that's how I feel about children

The service-dog scam is one of several reasons we got out of landlording, never to return.

 

[Aerides]

It doesn't bother me, because I prefer not to be bothered by things that cost me nothing, but bring pleasure to others.

Of course, the poop/pee/fight incidents cited are a negative, though those are very rare from my experience. Dog owners who don't control these issues are the problem, not the 99% that come and go with no mess or fuss.

As far as the restaurant? Eh, here in FL, a lot of restaurants have outdoor seating and will encourage/permit pets on the patio, and not the main indoor restaurant.

 

[Jerry1]

I had a relative use the service dog via Amazon vest so they could take their dog on a plane for free. I don’t know, we have all sorts of rules and licenses and certifications. Take a handicap parking sticker for one. Sure, it can be abused, but is it so out of line to require a “license” for a service pet and a requirement to show it upon entry? I like dogs, but not all and not in certain places. I don’t want to see dog crap in a store or restaurant. I don’t want to be touched in any way by a dog. I don’t want them rubbing up against me and shedding on my pants, I don’t want them sniffing me or licking me and I sure don’t want the risk of being between two of them going at it (fighting, of course ).

It’s just amazing to me how inconsiderate and self centered people have become. Maybe it was always that way and I just didn’t notice, but it’s pretty bad. Seriously, pretending you have a medical need just so you can take your pet with you? I don’t get it.

 

[CaptTom]

A group I belong to had to look into this. I found this FAQ very interesting. It describes the things a business or organization can, and cannot, do or ask about service animals. It's pretty specific, but I was especially surprised that all you can do is ask three questions, and can't request or require any sort of certificate or proof.

This specifically does NOT apply to "comfort" or "emotional support" animals. These have no federal protections.

Be aware that state and municipal laws may also apply, and airline regulations differ from these ADA rules. I've heard the airlines are trying to get those tightened up.

 

[Car-Guy]

I saw some airheaded bimbo with her "service dog" in CVS last month. Service dog my butt!

Okay, now how do you really feel about it...

 

[Dtail]

Don't like seeing them in grocery stores and yes also believe there is increasing abuse of the system.

 

[Teacher Terry]

The reason you can’t ask for certification or proof is because a real service dog can be trained by anyone. If the dog can perform the task it needs to do, lie quietly at the owners feet without making a sound, etc it is a real service dog. Actually there are only 2 questions you can ask. Airlines are covered under a different section of the law as is housing.

 

[Teacher Terry]

I think one thing that has caused more people to lie to fly is because they keep increasing the cost. Right now it’s $150 each way to take a small dog on the plane. With the airlines continuing to shrink the leg room how does someone with a big service dog even fit. They shouldn’t be forced to buy a seat with more room just to fit their dog. Seems like discrimination.

 

[RobbieB]

I've seen a lot of dogs in a lot of public (indoor) places and I've never ever seen one crap on the floor.

 

[Jerry1]

They shouldn’t be forced to buy a seat with more room just to fit their dog. Seems like discrimination.

Why not? People who are large have to buy two seats. My MIL has Alzheimer’s. When we fly her from one sister to another, someone has to go with her (i.e. buy another seat). Sometimes people need a chaperone, like minors where one parent puts the child on a plane to go to the other parent which costs money. It doesn’t seem like discrimination to me, it seems like one of the many unfortunate costs of having a particular medical condition or family situation.

Worse, is that some people want to take advantage of situations where, out of respect for a persons condition, organizations try not to charge more. If it costs $150 to bring your dog, then that’s either more or less than leaving said dog with someone else and the decision is to pick one of the costs. Having a pet is optional (for most) and includes certain costs. No one forces people to own pets.

 

[Teacher Terry]

Jerry, I worked in the disability field for years. First of all people with disabilities are employed at much lower rates than the average population because of discrimination. Therefore they have less money than many.

 

[Teacher Terry]

Like Robbie I have never seen a dog crap inside either.

 

[LOL!]

I take my dog many places, but I always park him outside unless some employee inside insists that the dog come inside. That has happened a few times.

I don't mind dogs in stores nor in restaurants. I've lived in places in Europe where it was normal to allow dogs, but not children in a restaurant.

I find it pretty easy to identify trouble makers and steer clear of them when I don't have my dog with me. If I have my dog with me, I don't mind taking my relaxed, super-cool dog right up to a hysterically barking dog. The contrast is amazing. I can even tell my dog to sit and wait in the face of lunging, barking dog and he will sit and wait.