Service dogs not allowed?

We made reservations at a hotel (non-Vegas) for the end of the month and I was reading through their features and saw "service dogs not allowed". I always thought that it was Federal Law you had to allow them. I always thought all restaurants had to allow them also. No, we don't have one, but I'm curious if anybody knows the law.

When we lived in Vegas there was this one SOB who would bring in his small dog and put him on the table at one of our favorite restaurants. I complained and they said it was a "service dog" but it should not be on the table. It no longer was one of our favorite restaurants.

 

The Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 says that service animals must be allowed. There are minor exceptions to that (like if the service animal poses a threat to the health or safety of others) but those exceptions must be demonstrated before the service animal is required to leave. Their policy is an obvious violation of the ADA.

 

Seems there is a growing problem with people faking service animals nowadays.

 

It is illegal to ask for documentation that an animal is a service animal, so some people just stick a vest on their dog and pretend it's a service animal. Too bad for the business.

If you have an actual service animal and a business denies you service, just take it as an opportunity for a lawsuit. You'll end up with a ton of money from the settlement. Just make sure you take out your smartphone and record everything they say about it, so you can prove they denied service.

 

Oh, are those the same ones faking needing a wheelchair on SWA:evillaugh

 

Why would they need to put a service dog on the table at a restaurant?

 

Because the guy was an asshole!!

 

That's our winner right there.

How much service can be provided by a service dog that is small enough to fit on a two- or four-top?

Just another in the brigade of folks with a sense of entitlement -- be it the jetway crashers or Joe's faux wheelchairers or this dog idiot or the guy who doesn't thing the don't-cross-stripes in the commuter lane apply to him or or or ...

Guess the thing to take away from interacting with people like this is that they probably lead pretty shitty lives if it takes these kinds of antics to make them feel like they stand out and have a place in the world.

 

See also people needing a wheelchair at amusement parks or hiring disabled people as "guides" to get past lines. Don't lie kids, but this guy here is "Uncle Fred" for today OK?

I think service dogs are awesome but they don't belong on the table. If they're laying down nicely in a chair beside the person, that's fine with me.

 

I was brooding about this a bit and called the hotel chain today. I booked it through Hotels.com and it was on their site the that the no service dogs allowed was listed. I started by calling the hotel chain and they seemed very upset that this was listed on Hotels.com and said they would deal with it.

 

Just to add, the dog didn't have a service vest.

 

It's sad but I think service animals will need some kind of standardized certification so jackasses like these guys don't abuse the system.

Funny but true. My cat Jack (the one I complain about not being affectionate with me) can signal an episode of kidney stones and/or uti with a 90% accuracy rate. He gives me about 45 minutes warning. He lays with his paw on my face if I'm sleeping during while not feeling well. No cuddles or smoochies though. He's all business.

 

I've seen restaurants that ban therapy dogs. My wife had a client that has a little yorkie therapy dog to help with anxiety.

 

Is a therapy dog the same as a service dog? (I'm serious. Seems like different concepts, anxiety and access/mobility.)

 

Over on cruise critic there is a big thread about people who were abusing the fact that cruise lines permit "service dogs" on cruise ships. People were bringing their pets onboard and calling them service dogs and they were taking dumps in the casino, restaurants etc.. If you have ever seen service dogs in action, you can tell how amazing well trained and behaved they are. It makes me sick to see people abuse the system. My guess is that eventually the process will have to be regulated.

 

+1

Though I have a soft spot for animals, pets are animals not people, and there is nothing cutesy or enjoyable about sharing enclosed places of public accommodation with them because someone can't be without little Fifi for a meal or a trip. (Service animals are not little Fifi.)

 

We had a gorgeous golden retriever service dog on one of our cruises - with a blind gentleman - that dog was SOOOO popular ;-) Every time he needed to do his business (outside or presumably in the guy's cabin, on a pad) there were people lined up to do the honors! But the dog was all business and the other passengers & crew were very respectful, not going up & petting the dog (as I've seen people do ) Very good experience with a service dog!

(also, presumably, the dog was able to go to parks etc in the ports with the passenger...)