Is it illegal to post a sign that says"CERTIFIED Service Animals Allowed Only"?

Question

From what I read that the ADA does not require service animals to be Certified.They are just specially trained.

Have letter from doctor that says it is a service dog needed for medical reasons.

Answer 1

The Federal ADA Laws states that service dogs are specially trained for a person with disability.Which can include dogs for the blind,deaf,people with seizures,people in wheel chairs are just a few examples of service dogs. They are NOT required to be CERTIFIED.As long as there is medical proof that a service dog is needed.

usdoj.gov/crt/ada/animal

Answer 2

Many places require all dogs to be lisenced. Why not have the disabled owner fill out a form at the same time as getting the liscence certifying that they are a person with a disability that significantly limits major life functions, and that the dog has recieved extensive training in obedience and skills to mitigate the disability. There could even be a form required to be signed by a doctor like those that are required to get a disabled placard. A police station or drivers liscence location could easily take these forms and check them. There could also be an online site where users register their service dog(s) or service dogs in training. They could list what specific tasks the dog does and say how the dog has been trained. Their doctor could sign in to verify the disability or fill out a form to mail in. A liscence tag could come in the mail. Having at least a way to get a tag that says service dog would be good. If your area does not require a rabies tag then you might not be able to take your dog places where rabies tags are absolutely required. Get a rabies tag and a service dog tag at the same time, even if you have to do it at the same time. There will always be fakers. But having a website with guidelines that people have to verify that they read it is a start. There could also be an ID number on the tag so that business owners can check the website to see if the tag is legitimate. The website could give very basic information like the type and color of the dog and what city it is registered in. The person could be traveling outside their own city, but there should be an identification tag on the dog that gives their city or phone number which the area code gives an approximate location of where the owner lives. This wouldn't be perfect and it would not be good to have to show your tag everywhere you go. But the business owner should be allowed to see the tag if the dog does not act right or appear to be a service dog (ie someone says the dog provides balance as a task but the dog is too tiny). I personally would prefer to show my tag when I enter a store rather than tell the person what tasks the dog does. Telling them the tasks gives them an idea of what my disability is. They should still ask "Is that a service dog" and usually leave you alone. But they should be allowed to see the tag and write down the ID to check the website when questions arise. This would be good because by using the tag the owner says they have read the rules and their dog is a legitimate service dog. This would mean that fakers could be prosecuted more easily since it is provable that they knew the law. There could also be an audit to identify fakers. Some things on the registration form could trigger an investigation like someone who suddenly needs to have their dog everywhere but has worked full time for a long time. They could have an additional form sent to them or their doctors. There could also be a way for business owners to complain on the website about a certain dog. That complaint would not be visible to anyone except the website worker (not even the owner).Boxes could be checked on the website to the type of complaint (like bad grooming, sick dog, ill-mannered, aggressive, not trainedm, etc). If a certain number of complaints came up or the complainer marked a box that said the dog was aggressive then that person could be investigated. The funding for the investigators could come from people who fake a service dog. Those who knowingly fake a service dog should have huge fines, like $20,000. Those who really think they should have a service dog but disregard the requirements to be actually disabled or have a trained dog should have a smaller fine. They shouldn't have to go to jail because they won't be able to make money there and it costs too much to put someone in jail.

Answer 3

Well it sounds redundant, but I would imagine there has to be some form of certification, or any lonely person can slap some fabric on their dog and call it a service dog. I am not trying to be mean but I don't want sixteen dogs on the premise of my fave local eatery. However I am sure most people want to protect themselves from discrimination laws. That would be the way to protect themselves. And it is their right. Also there is a lot of freaky dog owners out there that want to bring their dog everywhere, so the other thing might be, they are trying to make it clear that house pets are not welcome! So I am pretty sure that business owners could be challenged legally but I do not think that the sign is illegal.

Answer 4

Too many people are using the 'service animal' excuse to take their animals places the property owner's don't want them. The other option would be to better define what a service animal is or is not.

TRUE service animals are trained to not bite or annoy people, to make messes, to not be distracted by food odors or other distractions, etc. 'False' 'service animals' are not necessarily trained for any of this.

Asking for a simple certificate, which any trained animal would have, seems like a small thing.

Answer 5

I guess it would depend what this area is and where the sign is posted. One of the definitions in the Webster dictionary for Certified is genuine. Seeing eye dogs are registered I believe. This should cut it. The business probably has a valid point, due to health reasons animals are barred from being in places like hospitals, restaurants, etc......except for seeing eye dogs.

Answer 6

I have a very good friend who is blind so I rely on him for info. Service animals do have papers to prove they are service animals. So, you can't just say your dog is a service dog. In order to take it into stores, you should have papers proving it.

Answer 7

I don't think that is illegal. A buisness has the right to refuse service to anyone. That seems justified.
I think the papers for the dog would be certification enough.

Answer 8

If there is no certification, a sign shouldn't say "certified".

Answer 9

yes