[pct-l] (photo) Hiker Approaching Forester Pass

[Carolyn Eddy]

>>>>>>>>>Regardless if this is actually a service dog or not, if she is 
>>>>>>>>>allowing the animal off leash then she is abusing the status. At NO 
>>>>>>>>>TIME is a service dog to be off leash while "working", not to 
>>>>>>>>>mention the very strict rules within the NPS.

I am not aware of any restrictions on this from a service dog point of 
view.. Maybe it's a program restriction for certain types of uses of the dog 
but I have never heard of it as a law of any kind. My dog is expected to be 
able to perform some tasks offlead such as getting my husband, bringing me 
stuff, that would not be possible if on lead.

>>>>>Anyway, I suggest that if anyone runs across somebody that you feel is 
>>>>>abusing the service dog legislation, report them to the authorities. In 
>>>>>California a conviction is very serious with large fines and potential 
>>>>>prison time.

Big AMEN to this! It's hard enough for us without idiots bringing FooFoo in 
and having it jump all over people and annoy them.

BTW, you are only allowed to ask a person if the dog is a service dog, and 
what tasks it performs, not what their disability is. Be careful and polite 
when talking to people about their dog if they say it's a service dog. We 
have a lot of rights that the average public would like to step all over, 
but many have learned the hard way that sugar gets further than vinegar.

"Sweet Goat Mama"
Carolyn Eddy
www.goattracksmagazine.com