Fake service dogs do a disservice


Please note: Passing your dog off as a service dog is illegal.

Bravo, Mr. Nels Johnson (Letters, Acorn, July 5) for standing up for common sense regarding pet dogs not belonging in stores.

I, too, have had dogs as pets for 40 years of my life.

I’m bothered to see the increase in people bringing their dogs (just because) into public places and/or passing their dogs off as service animals when it’s obvious that the dog’s behavior would never qualify it as such.

In the past five years, for example, I’ve noticed an excessive number of dogs in Home Depot, even to the point that last year a man brought a large wolf halfbreed into the store (as he was telling everyone who inquired about the breed).

Home Depot corporate knows about the problem and has issued training emails to its staff reminding them that the law says pet dogs aren’t allowed in the store for liability reasons.

A store manager told me he’s aware of the law but “we don’t like asking people here not to bring their pet dogs into the store because they get upset.”

What a liability problem Home Depot would have if someone were to get bitten or injured by a nonservice dog in their store.

Business employees are allowed to ask the following two questions of someone who wants to bring Fido into the business: Is the animal required because of a disability, and what task has the animal been trained to do to mitigate the disability?

Under ADA regulations for service animals, emotional support and companion dogs do not qualify.

Bringing Fido into the store may also distract real service dogs from doing their jobs.

Here in California, it’s a misdemeanor punishable by a fine up to $1,000 and up to six months in jail to falsely present your pet as a service animal.

It’s also an insult to legit service dog trainers who spend six to nine months minimum dedicating themselves to training these wonderful dogs who perform a great service to people to help mitigate their disabilities.

Michael Koch
Thousand Oaks