(VICT) Re: [nagdu] dogs in public question
- From: <craig.borne@xxxxxxx>
- To: <nagdu@xxxxxxxxxx>, <seeingeye-l@xxxxxxxxxxxx>, <doggie-den@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>, <GDUI-Friends@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>, <vi-clicker-trainers@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- Date: Fri, 14 Sep 2007 08:42:13 -0400
The ADA defines a service animal as one that is trained to perform
specific tasks (examples of which is guiding the blind, pulling a
wheelchair, picking up dropped items, etc.) and does not pose a
dangerous threat when in public.
Pet owners can train their dogs to not misbehave, but in my opinion,
this does not rise to the level of performing specific tasks, especially
when the examples given in the regulations point to tasks to service a
disabled individual.
What purpose would a pet have in public, other than the individual
doesn't have to run home to "let the dog out?" Service animals do serve
a specific purpose, and the two should never be seen as the same in
public situations.
Allowing pets in public places where animals are not typically allowed
could ruin access issues that blind and disabled people have worked hard
to resolve.
Even "training" your pets to be good little boys and girls does not rise
to the level of training that our dogs undergo.
But business owners are at a disadvantage; who can tell a service animal
from a pet? Today, people use "comfort animals" and the like. These
animals have no recognizable harness and the handlers have no
recognizable disability. This doesn't mean that a disability doesn't
exist; it only means that business owners will be more suspicious of
anyone claiming a service animal. This type of deceit only dilutes our
access rights.
Craig
Craig Borne, Esq.
Equal Opportunity Specialist
NHTSA/DOT
(202) 493-0627 Voice
craig.borne@xxxxxxx Email
-----Original Message-----
From: nagdu-bounces@xxxxxxxxxx [mailto:nagdu-bounces@xxxxxxxxxx] On
Behalf Of Martha Harris
Sent: Thursday, September 13, 2007 10:11 PM
To: Discussions Of The Seeing Eye; doggie-den@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx; GDUI;
NAGDU Mailing List,the National Association of Guide Dog Users;
vi-clicker-trainers@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: [nagdu] dogs in public question
Hello Everyone,
I am a dog user in college, and I am writing a story about how people
try to pass off pets as service animals or bring their untrained,
misbehaving pets with them wherever they go. I was wondering what
disadvantages does this cause? What are some solutions to this problem?
Has anyone been attacked by dogs in public, restaurants, stores ETC, and
how has this effected you and your dog? What can the public in general
do to avoid these problems? Is it big dogs on leash or the little dogs
in purses that affect you?
I know answers to some of them, but I need quotes for my story. It is
for a journalism class, but I want to try to publish in a dog magazine
if I can.
If this is off topic, you can email me at latinanewschic@xxxxxxxxxxxx
Thanks,
Martha
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