SC's and service animals

[wanderingjoe72]

I am sorry for the people you and your friend have had to encounter, but your story did my heart good. I was so happy to hear about idiots being fined for their stupidity. There is still justice from time to time.

[Becks]

Holy biscuit. These people need some help from clue by fours.

[AdminAssistant]

I'm definitely guilty of the "PUPPY!!!" syndrome - but I limit myself to a comment on how lovely and well-behaved the animal is.

[QASlave]

That just boggles the mind. I was in the mall the other day with my 4 year old son, they being the observant little snots that they are, he saw a dog a mile away. Of course, one glance from me and I could immediately tell it was a service dog. (As stated above, vest, harness, dark glasses. Dead give away.)

I explained to him why the dog was there and it's purpose, and he was upset that I wouldn't let him go pet it. (I know that's a no-no with service animals. They're working leave them alone.)

We did run into him while shopping and my son did ask if he could pet the dog. The guy said yes and thanked him for asking. He says that when people just pet the dog, it causes issues as the dog sees it as an obstacle and reacts accordingly. Real pain in the ass from what I gathered. (As opposed to just being blind.)

[Fro]

I wondered what sort of legal action could be taken against people for interfering with a service dog. I'm so happy those idiots were fined.

I'm a sufferer of "Oooo PUPPY" Syndrome too. At my old church, there was a man with a service dog, a beautiful golden retriever. He was such a good dog just patiently lying at the end of the pew. I really wanted to just smother the dog with love and cries of "Who's a good puppy!" but I resisted. Service dogs wouldn't nearly be so tempting if they weren't so well behaved

[jedimaster91]

Another "OOOOOH PUPPY!!!" syndrome sufferer here. I've often thought about training service dogs, but my hubby doesn't want dogs in the house (which would make training one for a blind person difficult, no?), and I'd get horribly attached to the dog and not want to give it up.

You and your friend are awesome people for standing up to those morons. It's nice to see there is still some justice in the world.

[Music Mo-Gal]

Are people really this stupid and nasty? It boggles the mind.

I'm glad the cop wrote the ticket. PWNED!

[Snowbird]

Nice idea, but the only people it work on are the people that wouldn't find themselves being talked about and ridiculed here on CS.

I totally understand. I agree that it is probably naive of me to hope that sucky customers might be swayed into being not so sucky with a bit of printed material. I'd just noted that sometimes people respond better to 'official' information (and considering this involves government policies, that's pretty official) than to just being told by who they believe is the offender. I'll keep my suggestions to myself now.

A bit off topic but on the same street, given that I've read that more than a few people here have seen relatives or friends do occasionally sucky things before they knew better, is it best to keep silent or to say something? Is it possible to sway a potentially temporarily sucky customer? Naturally, those SC's that are the permanent sort wouldn't be, but those that are just having a bad day or are misinformed, etc.? What is the best approach if one speaks up?

I'm just curious, really, and thought it would be fun to see what people think.

[ditchdj]

Well, considering that United States Federal Law states that a business MUST allow animals in that help disabled people, you can explain to these self-centered losers why they're NOT important enough for you to break federal law for them. Service is just like driving: It's NOT a right. It's a priviledge.

[South Texan]

We're in line to pay for our food and a man stands 10 feet back and screams at us "How'd that dog get in here" over and over. My friend replies "Through the front door. How about you?"

What a PERFECT retort! Had I been in that line, I would have applauded.

Its a federal offense to purposefully interfere with a service animal doing its job.

I learn something new all the time from this board!

I know two blind people who have no problem with children petting their dogs IF the child asks first.

[Record Store Tough Guy]

I would think it would be a great opportunity to educate a child on what service animals do and why people have them. But youthful enthusiasm is easier to overlook than an adult doing the same thing. ^_^

I've only petted a service dog once, in my store, and it was after talking to the owner as she was browsing and commenting that she was one of the beautiful dogs I think I've ever seen. Just a mutt, but had a long black and white coat and blue eyes. I shit you not, blue eyes. And yes, I did ask permission first.

^_^

[Raieth]

When I worked at crappy tire we used to get a lot of In-Training service dogs because there was a training school not to far away.

I always say hello to the trainer and the dog. I also always extend the back of my hand for the dog to sniff. It's like handshaking for dogs. Generally I'll get a curious sniff and nothing more but I like for the dog to know I'm not a threat.

Of course I'll only do it if I'm talking to the trainer or they are stopped beside me.

Although there was one regular who I got to know with a service dog that I really enjoyed helping. He had a big beautiful retreaver that I was alowed to ruffle behind the ears to say hello.

[Midnight12]

during the retail days I got two repeat customers who were in the business of training seeing eye dogs. Firs time I saw one was about to open my mouth to object, then the blue vest registered to my eyes and I just greeted her and pointed out I thought he was a beautiful dog. Wish I could go back to that store as I do miss being a memorable worker there, in a good way.

[TealJellyfish]

They are actually running a campaign here (Sydney) that is about discrimination against Guide Dogs. So I am guessing stuff like this happens more than we might think. Either that or people in shops discriminating against people with Guide Dogs



Good on OP for telling those people off. What total morons and yay for having laws that let you hit them in their wallet for their stupidity!

[PepperElf]

wtf... SED or not, you never approach someone's pooch without permission.

and... all i can say is for calling the cops and letting the idiots suffer for being... idiots.