Service animal laws are changing

[draggar]

New laws in effect on March 15th (USA / ADA):

Only dogs are allowed to be service animals. (My wife is upset over this because not only are other animals qualified, this could be a first step towards selective breeds). Existing non-dogs are grandfathered in.

All service dogs must be on a leash / harness unless it interferes with their duties.

Service dogs are exempt to breed specific legislation (BSL). In Miami it will be legal to own a pit bull as a service dog (they're illegal in the county now).

[wagegoth]

I am glad that they are setting up new laws on this, but I agree with your wife that this could have a domino effect.

[Solumina]

My thoughts on non-dog service animals no longer being allowed aren't really propper for anything outside of fratching, but I am pleased that service dogs are exempt from breed specific legislation.

[LewisLegion]

I too am glad about that BSL thing. Denver is horrible at this, confiscating people's pit bull service dogs if they're DRIVING through the city and happen to get pulled over. It's horrible and just another reason I absolutely hate Denver.

I too don't think, however, that it should be limited to dogs only. There are a lot of people out there with miniature horses that work VERY WELL as guide and service animals. Not to mention trained monkeys that aide quadrapeligics. They will be grandfathered, but still.

Though I do think it is silly to claim a snake or other such creature as a service animal.

[Lurking Sockpuppet]

Grrr! I have also heard of ferrets being used by epileptics because of their sensitivity to seizures. This is wrong, IMO.

[Solumina]

There are actually a lot of things that snakes can be good for, they don't work as guide animals but there is a lot more that service animals are used for.

[Sapphire Silk]

The question I have is, on what rationales were the new laws based?

Is this law based on scientific evidence, or is it based on prejudice against certain types of animals/breeds?

I feel more likely the latter than the former.

[shankyknitter]

I'm with Panacea. There is a lot of evidence for animals other than dogs fulfilling a service function. A friend of mine has a hairless rat for her (can't remember the word now) fear of crowds. Little Ruby is the only thing that keeps her calm enough to function in a group larger than three people. However the first time you tell someone 'oh so-and-so has a service rat' it becomes "a service rat? really? Rats aren't a service animal!" In that superior sarcastic tone of voice we all know so well from dealing with customers.

I really hope this law change doesn't last long and that this isn't a move toward limiting dog breeds that can be service animals. I have no idea what my friend is going to do once Ruby dies if she can't get another rat. She's allergic to cats and dogs and most other animals with fur. Hence the hairless rat.

[LillFilly]

I wonder if discrimination could come of this; think about medical or belief issues. Remember the Muslim woman who has a seeing eye horse because they believe dogs to be 'unclean.'

http://www.breitbart.com/article.php...show_article=1

Maybe if so many animals become trained for specific uses they could be added to the list of acceptable service animals as they come. Why only service dogs; because that was the norm for so long? I figure hey, if it works, use it.

And I remember getting arguments at my mall all the time to kick-out dogs because clueless people didn't believe they were service animals; in their minds the only service dogs are labs/retrievers. Couldn't tell them different!

[Sapphire Silk]

I really hope this law change doesn't last long and that this isn't a move toward limiting dog breeds that can be service animals. I have no idea what my friend is going to do once Ruby dies if she can't get another rat. She's allergic to cats and dogs and most other animals with fur. Hence the hairless rat.

Issues with allergies and cultural beliefs may open the door for the courts to throw the new law out.

[Fire_on_High]

I really hope this law change doesn't last long and that this isn't a move toward limiting dog breeds that can be service animals. I have no idea what my friend is going to do once Ruby dies if she can't get another rat. She's allergic to cats and dogs and most other animals with fur. Hence the hairless rat.

Sphynx cat? Chinese Crested dog?

I used to keep hairless rats...sweet, smart, but such a desperately short lifespan.

[Akasa]

Snakes are sensitive to seizures. I know a woman with a service cat, keeps her calm in crowds. Otherwise she couldn't function. Dog wouldn't do. She's allergic.

[telecom_goddess]

Snakes are sensitive to seizures. I know a woman with a service cat, keeps her calm in crowds. Otherwise she couldn't function. Dog wouldn't do. She's allergic.

See that's why it can't be limited to just dogs. Some people can't use dogs. Although I am curious what a blind person who's allergic to dogs would do...I guess they use the mini horses or something? Anyway my cats are listed as "companion" animals at my complex.

[nicolecj]

I know that a lot of miniture horses were being trained as service animals. they have a lot of benefits over dogs. They have hooves which allow them to walk on hot or rocky ground, they have longer live spans (usually 20+ years) so more service for the investment, and the are housebroken very easily. Also, since they are not preditors, they are more likely to help the person get out of harms way and they don't have to be trained to not chase rabbits.

It is a win win for everyone. It would be a shame if they were banned because they are not a dog.

[draggar]

Also, since they are not preditors, they are more likely to help the person get out of harms way and they don't have to be trained to not chase rabbits.

You'd be surprised. Kiri is a completely different dog when she has the harness and cape on (even just the cape).

She hates any cat that is not ours - she'll chase them and sometimes comes close to pulling my arm out of the socket when she goes after them. (I've gotten better at anticipating it now when I walk her).

She ignores them when she is working.

Plus, many are chosen for their lack of prey drive, some dogs just don't care.

Hooves can also cause a lot of damage to floors - they're hard and there's a lot more pressure (PSI) on a (mini) horse's hoof than on a dog's foot. Horses can also get spooked a lot easier than a dog

Plus the financial investment (short and long term) are much lower for a dog and it is much easier to transport a dog than it is a mini horse.

(I'm not saying they don't make good service animals - just not perfect).

Also, we found out that airlines cannot charge you extra for a service dog's supplies (crate, food, leashes, etc.) when checked. (This was nice - we got to check an extra 40 pounds of luggage (35 for the crate, 5 for his supplies) without any extra fees this morning (my wife is in NYC for the Westminster show).

Many (not law, but optional) won't charge for parking if you have a service dog or have one of those attachments to hold a motorized scooter / wheelchair for your disability).

Most airlines will also board handicapped people first (even before first class sometimes).