Service Animals and Your Rights

[blackfootedgirl]

This is a bit of useful information for those who are either curious about Service Animal Regulations or are assisted by them and may find this helpful.

Three days ago I was illegally harassed by both the employees in the establishment and the local Police, neither correctly knew the laws regarding my rights involving the use of my Service Dog.

Federal Laws regarding Service Animals trump all Local and State Rules and Regulations.
So here you go .......In accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990,

Businesses May ask:
1) Is this a Service Dog?
2) What tasks does the Service Dog perform?

Businesses May Not:
1) Require special identification for the dog.
2) Ask about the person's disability.
3) Charge additional fees because of the dog.
4) Refuse admittance, isolate, segregate, or treat this person less favorably than other patrons.

A person with a disability cannot be asked to remove his service animal from the premises unless:

1) the animal is out of control and the animal's owner does not take effective action to control it.
2) the animal poses a direct threat to the health or safety of others.

Any business that sells or prepares food must allow service animals in public areas even if state or local health codes prohibit animals on the premises.

Refusal to provide equal access to people with disabilities with service animals is a federal civil rights violation, provided by the American Disability Act of 1990. Violators of the ADA can be required to pay money damages and penalties.
If Federal and State laws conflict, generally the one that affords the greatest protection to the person with a disability
takes precedence.
About the ADA: You may file complaints with the Dept. Of Justice regarding misuse of Service Animal Regulations.
US Department of Justice
ADA Information Line
800-514-0301 (voice)
800-514-0383 (TDD)
www.usdoj.gov/crt/ada/

How can I tell if an animal is really a service animal and not just a pet?
There are no legal requirements for service animals to be specially identified. Some,
but not all, service animals, wear special collars and harnesses. Some, but not all, are
licensed or “certified and or have identification papers. If you are not certain that an
animal is a service animal, you may ask the person who has the animal if it is a
service animal required because of a disability. A public entity cannot require any
proof of a persons disability, or identification or certification of the service animals
status.

Also a service animal is not considered a pet but an utilitarian object and is exempt from pet deposits as well as other fees.

Blackfootedgirl