Support Animals

[thbcthomas]

This is not completely scuba related but more a flying related RANT. If I want to do any real diving with good visibility then I have to fly some where. The more I fly the more animals I see in the airport as "Support Animals", and it is getting out of hand. I hope airlines finally put an end to this non sense. I understand that in some instances it maybe necessary. My brother in law is a war veteran and takes his dog with him every where even though it is not always properly cleaned, sometimes the dog down right stinks.

This rant comes after a girl was bitten ( or is it bit?) on a southwest flight from Phoenix. Am I being to grumpy old man (I am 36) or do others think it is out of control? Hopefully when we get ready to fly in March my family does ot encounter some stinkin "SUPPORT ANIMAL".

For the record, I am all for "Support Animals", as long as they are trained, groomed, and NEEDED. If they are not necessary then leave them home or put them in a crate. Rant is over.

 

[drbill]

Absolutely no question in my mind that it has gotten out of hand. I have no problem with support animals that are properly trained and necessary for the well being of an individual, especially a veteran or a blind person or anyone otherwise affected by a serious challenge., When I see little FiFi with a "support animal" vest on, I generally get irritated because it is usually pretty obvious it is just someone's pet. It angers me that so many fake support animals are now taken into grocery stores and restaurants. I leave my "pets" where they belong... in our dive park!

 

[thbcthomas]

For the record I consider Service Animals and Support Animals as totally different animals/catergories. Absolutely NO problem with a service animal at the store, airport, or even restaurant.

 

[diversteve]

some logic prevails anyway...
Woman denied emotional support peacock on United flight

 

[bcaderunr]

Yup - if we're seated side by side, since when does YOUR fear of flying outweigh MY fear of being bitten?

 

[Bowers]

In a country that requires certifications and liscensing for nearly everthing, would it be so hard to implement an obedience certification to allow your dog in public? Service animals are held to a standard and it wouldnt bother me a bit see non-service dogs in all sorts of public places if they were bahaved. My dog (not a service animal) is quite well behaved and regularly complemented for it when around people. I would love to be allowed to take him everywhere with me but cant because too many others have taken there dogs (who dont know how to sit on command, let alone how to heel or stay) into stores, etc, and let them go wild..... theres my rant too.. lol

 

[Stoo]

I'm planning on getting Mrs. Stoo a "Support Animal" vest so I only have to pay for one fare. That should work, right?

 

[BRT]

In a country that requires certifications and liscensing for nearly everthing, would it be so hard to implement an obedience certification to allow your dog in public? Service animals are held to a standard and it wouldnt bother me a bit see non-service dogs in all sorts of public places if they were bahaved. My dog (not a service animal) is quite well behaved and regularly complemented for it when around people. I would love to be allowed to take him everywhere with me but cant because too many others have taken there dogs (who dont know how to sit on command, let alone how to heel or stay) into stores, etc, and let them go wild..... theres my rant too.. lol

Believe me, if you want to have your dog declared a "support animal" and have it allowed everywhere you can do that. I have to hold my tongue at certain family gatherings.

 

[Rred]

Even if a dog was Mr. Peabody, I can understand someone being afraid of getting bit. That's pretty rationally dealt with by just asking someone to switch a seat. The problem comes in that there are no standards for support or service dogs, there is no way to tell "This dog has been trained and plays well with others." It is a matter of credentialing, and it would be too simple for the IATU or the carriers to sit down with some training organizations and say "OK, as of January first? If your dog doesn't have a certificate from one of these groups, it ain't flying." And by all means, make provisions for more groups that ARE legitimate, to be added to the pool.

It is possible to balance rights, but apparently there are no rational adults running the airlines.

And forging credentials? Yes, it should be prosecuted under state and federal forgery laws. Talk about having a bite...after a few of those make the news, there won't be any problem except "When's the next open class for my dog?"

 

[BRT]

Register Emotional Support Dog - US Dog Registry

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