Among Friends

[monicakm]

@Pink123 

Did you read all of my post?

[NYCLatinaMe]

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@DrakesMomma wrote:

Here is what the ADA has to say - "Required to wear a vest or other ID that indicates they're a service dog. Emotional support or comfort dogs, because providing emotional support or comfort is not a task related to a person's disability."

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@DrakesMomma I think you read an Artificial Intelligence generated answer in google.  This is incorrect.  

Animals don't need to wear anything identifying as service or emotional support animals, and people don't need to carry documentation.  Places open to the public MUST allow service animals but I believe only housing providers are required to allow emotional support animals (in addition to service animals).  Housing providers can request documentation regarding the need for the animal, but they are not entitled to ask for medical information unless there is litigation or some such circumstance.

That being said, where I live in NYC, no one stops anyone bringing an animal into a store.

I remember one time I saw a lady with a dog on a leash and the dog was licking everything within its reach (at least the doggie was small), I told the lady and asked her to control her doggie and the lady almost bit my head off and insulted me.  She said it was an emotional support animal.  The doggie stayed silent.

[gidgetgh]

Unless it is a service animal, I have absolutely no interest at all in being in a store with animals.  None.  If possible, less than none.

[NYCLatinaMe]

@Venezia I believe all places open to the public are required to allow service animals, but not emotional support animals.  Only housing providers are prohibitted from banning emotional support animals under federal law.

[Tori3569]

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@CelticCrafter wrote:

This topic always gets heated around here.

Emotional support dogs don't need a vest and shop owners aren't allowed to ask.

So these dog people think everyone else should love their dog as much as they and bring them to the store or doctor or dentist with them because they're emotional support animals.

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This is true.  As someone who has had to deal with many, many customer complaints over the years when asked to take their dogs outside (two different food service companies) one can ask, but there is no obligation for the customer to answer.  It's not a hippa violation in any case.  

One of the stores in my previous job was sued several years ago by a legally blind customer who brought in his lab without a vest.  

One of my (non helpful) shift supervisors told him he had to leave and wouldn't serve him.  The customer called the police.  This was in Greenwich CT where the police come immediately.  Long and painful story short the situation was settled for $50k out of court.  

[Tori3569]

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@monicakm wrote:

@Pink123 

Did you read all of my post?

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I was just going to ask the same question @monicakm.   

[Mom2Dogs]

@Etoile308   Yes police arrived in a timely manner and the person with the dog continued to film the policeman.  The cop asked him to back up because I guess he was very close to him..the customer just kept saying it was his right under the constitution..that was his answer for everything.

My friend wants to know directly from his lawyer what his rights are and how the law reads.  I think the guy was going from store to store to get a reaction from people.   

[candys mine]

1)  A Shopping cart is NOT a natural place for any dog to be.

2)  If Mummy puts  Precious pooch into the grocery cart and said doggie gets his widdle toesie woesie cought in the cart and breaks it or rips off a nail,  What do you think Mummy Wummy is going to do?

[Carmie]

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@Kachina624 wrote:

@Tinkrbl44.  I agree, dogs have no business in grocery store including the so-called "emotional support" animals ( what a farce).  Only bona fide service dogs should be allowed and they are easily identified.

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How can you identify a service dog?

There is no way that I know of.  You can ask the owner, but they do not have to give you any proof.

[Goldengate8361]

If a store owner really can't forbid dogs from being in her store because it might be a service dog for a disability that one can't ask about, then any animal could be brought in the store with the same logic. Seriously. One could bring in their donkey into Costco or their pet snake into Nordstroms. The pendulum has swung way too far toward the demands of dog owners, in my opinion. And, the poor dogs! I bet they'd rather be at home anyway.