Are the owners of service dogs required to abide by the same expectations as other pet owners? If so in the case of a seeing eye dog are they taught signals to indicate to the owner if something needs to be cleaned up?
2006-08-27 22:49:10 · 3 answers · asked by janedoe_104 1 in Pets ➔ Dogs
Those that can should do so. SD users I have known do clean up after their dogs.
SDs that I personally know and trained are kept at heel in public spaces. The dogs are taught to go on command so that the SD user is aware that a special package is arriving which needs to be cleaned up. There would be no 'stealth' bombs being dropped, so to speak.
It does not happen the other way around with the dog simply deciding where to go then "telling" the SD users. What if the dog did his deal in a rut between the sidewalk and the grass that the user could not reach? This is why the user has it on command, and selects the place. The user can then touch the dog to know where the back end is dropping to leave a package.
SDs are not allowed to go sniffing at every bush, blade of grass, present left by another dog or freshy squirted post - that would mean that the dog is not paying attention. ;)
But here's the reality... Many SD users get their dogs because they need the enablement that the working dog provides. Needing the dog doesn't instantly turn them into responsible and dog knowledgeable people any more than needing a car to drive to work turns a commuter into a good driver or one that respects the law.
SD users do go through a training period with whomever provides their dog, but it's very common for all people who are not serious dog folk to get slack in some areas of their dog handling. Some of the SD organizations retain legal ownership of the user's dog, to make it easier to reclaim the dog if the person is not being as responsible as they should be.
SD users sometimes have really bad days so a bad 'performance' in a public area would get me to go and see if I could offer some help. If the person is difficult, maybe it's just a really bad day for them. However repeat performances should be recorded in some way. If the dog is wearing an identifying cape for some organization, then give that group a ring and ask them about their policies. If the dog is privately trained, then the matter becomes more difficult. It is an invasion of privacy according to the ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) for a disabled person to have to explain to people challenging their access, why they need a cane, a wc, a dog or some other thing. If their behavior is socially disruptive then there are certainly grounds to bring a peace officer to the scene.
Did I cover everything? Of course, everyone is different. Some people who are vision impaired also have mobility issues and may not be able to scoop after their dogs. They can arrange for someone to go with them when they think it's time for their dog's potty break.
2006-08-27 23:46:10 · answer #1 · answered by Cobangrrl 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
After much searching , I found a site addressing this issue. Great question! Not much information out there about this but from what I could gather, it's determined by city ordinances on who is responsible or not responsible to obey Pooper scooper laws. Here is an excerpt from one site : C. A sightless person who has the charge or control of a guide dog, or a Police Dog in the performance of law enforcement duties, shall be exempt from the provisions of the Section.
Here is the site link : http://www.pooper-scooper.com/pooplaws.htm
2006-08-27 23:53:51 · answer #2 · answered by dusty_roade 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
when service dogs are working and walking with the blind person, stop to do their business, so the person knows they are doing their business, usually have bags or other product to clean up the mess. most people are good at making sure mess is cleaned up and of course there is always someone who does not care and move on. blind or not blind, it happens
2006-08-28 09:45:23 · answer #3 · answered by churchonthewayseniors 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋