[pct-l] service animal

[Fred Walters]

"... the animal owner should have to produce some sort of documentation to
the effect.  I understand that pet owners complain bitterly about something
like this on the grounds that it would infringe on their rights...to which
I ask, what about the rights of those who have problems with dogs
(psychologically or medically)?"

I would not.  As a dog owner myself I think it sounds like an excellent
idea.  In the UK we have "service animals" but it is on a far more official
basis.  Most responsible owners would never even try to abuse the system.

One aspect of the debate is that those who abuse the system weaken it for
those who have genuine (and often crucial) need.

With this "service animal" thing, what happens about things like hygiene.
Can you just take your dog into a restaurant or food shop and declare its
"my service animal, end of discussion!" or do other tougher regulations
come into play in such circumstances.  As far as I am aware, in the UK
there are categories of assistance dogs (e.g. a guide dog for the blind or
maybe a hearing dog) and that to be treated as an assistance dog, the dog
must be trained and certified by one of 6 charities which are members of a
national assistance dog organisation.  Nobody else can declare a dog as an
"Assistance Dog".  Each of the 6 charities specialises in particular types
of dog and owners carry a card issued by the charity and dogs wear a yellow
"jacket" and pets cannot be registered.

With many regulatory exceptions designed to help those with genuine need,
abuse engenders mistrust and causes irreparable damage to the schemes and
impacts those with real need.

On Thu, Mar 1, 2012 at 3:26 AM, Nathan Miller <erccmacfitheal at yahoo.com>wrote:

> > You can call the police and have them sort it out. Most of them know
> what  the rules are. Unfortunately, if you are wrong and make a big deal
> out of limiting access to a dog who is legitimately doing his job you can
> be fined up to $10,000.  Those who are using their dogs inappropriately are
> well aware of this and use it to their own advantage.
>
> There should be a provision (and to my knowledge, none such exists) such
> that certain persons (business managers/proprietors come to mind) should
> have the power to ask for proof of an animal being a Service Animal and
> that the animal owner should have to produce some sort of documentation to
> the effect.  I understand that pet owners complain bitterly about something
> like this on the grounds that it would infringe on their rights...to which
> I ask, what about the rights of those who have problems with dogs
> (psychologically or medically)?
>
> -Nate the Trail Zombie
> Newberg, OR
>
> _______________________________________________
> Pct-L mailing list
> Pct-L at backcountry.net
> To unsubcribe, or change options visit:
> http://mailman.backcountry.net/mailman/listinfo/pct-l
>
> List Archives:
> http://mailman.backcountry.net/pipermail/pct-l/
> All content is copyrighted by the respective authors.
> Reproduction is prohibited without express permission.
>