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I have a service dog (SD), and because I choose not to put an orange vest on her I am constantly stopped by workers who want to let me know that pets aren't allowed. I am happy to politely let them know she's a working dog, not a pet, and is legally permitted to go where ever I can go, even into restaurants. While I have been shuffled off to a far corner of the dining room to avoid disturbing other guests, I have yet to encounter rudeness once people realize she's a service animal.
But I can't stand people who bring unsocialized animals out in public. That dog growled at you: if you didn't do anything to provoke the dog then right then and there animal control should have been called for a vicious dog report. If nothing else, it would provide documentation to cover your business if the guy came back. I know that if my dog ever were to react in an aggressive way while we're out together it is my responsibility to get her out of that situation immediately! A dog baring its teeth and growling isn't cute, it isn't funny, and it should never be tolerated. It's the canine equivalent of brandishing a gun and should always be taken as the deadly serious threat that it is.
Also, I do NOT recommend trying to take the drinks from the hands of dog-owners. That is likely to result in another bite when "precious snookums" thinks you're attacking its master/mommy/daddy/whatever. When that happens, you won't have a leg to stand on (pardon the pun) when the SC's lawyer points out that the dog wouldn't have attacked if you hadn't made an aggressive move towards the SC. The best thing you can do is make certain the staff doesn't serve anyone with an animal unless they first ask if it's a service animal. No service, no drink to take away later.
If that fails, get a picture of the SC and the dog on someone's cellphone, ask any customers sitting nearby to move away (so you don't have *another* lawsuit to contend with) and refuse further service to the SC with the mutt. Shunning is still an effective psychological weapon, and if the SC gets belligerent and starts making a scene, you have another reason to call the cops.
But I can't stand people who bring unsocialized animals out in public. That dog growled at you: if you didn't do anything to provoke the dog then right then and there animal control should have been called for a vicious dog report. If nothing else, it would provide documentation to cover your business if the guy came back. I know that if my dog ever were to react in an aggressive way while we're out together it is my responsibility to get her out of that situation immediately! A dog baring its teeth and growling isn't cute, it isn't funny, and it should never be tolerated. It's the canine equivalent of brandishing a gun and should always be taken as the deadly serious threat that it is.
Also, I do NOT recommend trying to take the drinks from the hands of dog-owners. That is likely to result in another bite when "precious snookums" thinks you're attacking its master/mommy/daddy/whatever. When that happens, you won't have a leg to stand on (pardon the pun) when the SC's lawyer points out that the dog wouldn't have attacked if you hadn't made an aggressive move towards the SC. The best thing you can do is make certain the staff doesn't serve anyone with an animal unless they first ask if it's a service animal. No service, no drink to take away later.
If that fails, get a picture of the SC and the dog on someone's cellphone, ask any customers sitting nearby to move away (so you don't have *another* lawsuit to contend with) and refuse further service to the SC with the mutt. Shunning is still an effective psychological weapon, and if the SC gets belligerent and starts making a scene, you have another reason to call the cops.
He says he's sorry for what another pit bull did. (And he's sad someone thinks him ugly 
)
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