In recent years, there has been an increase in people passing off pet dogs as service dogs. Read on to learn the signs of a fake service dog and how to report one.]
Service dogs provide immeasurable support to individuals with disabilities, helping them overcome day-to-day challenges, navigate the world around them, and interact with others.
However, in recent years, there has unfortunately been an increase in people passing off pet dogs as service dogs — likely in an effort to exploit the legal privileges that service animals receive.
Catching a fake service dog isn’t always easy, particularly as you’re only legally allowed to ask an individual two questions about their animal under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). These questions are:
- Is the dog a service animal required because of a disability?
- What work or task has the dog been trained to perform?
You also can’t ask the individual to get their service dog to demonstrate their trained tasks. However, there are a few telltale signs to look out for. Today, we’ll touch on these below so you can be mindful of the signs and alert staff if you suspect something is amiss.
What Is a Service Dog?
A service dog is a type of working dog that has been specially trained to assist an individual with a diagnosed disability. They perform tasks that alleviate disability-related symptoms and give their handler the means to lead a more independent and fulfilling life.
The exact tasks a service dog performs depend on their handler’s disability and individual needs. However, some common tasks include deep pressure therapy, item retrieval, and medical alerts.
Service dogs are also categorized based on the type of disability they are trained to assist. Common service dog types include:
- Psychiatric service dogs (trained to assist with emotional or mental disabilities)
- Guide dogs (assist blind and partially blind individuals)
- Hearing dogs (assist deaf people)
- Medical alert dogs (trained to detect changes in an individual’s condition and alert them to this)
How to Catch a Fake Service Dog: Red Flags to Watch for
According to the experts at Dog Academy, any dog, regardless of breed, size, or weight, can be classed as a service dog, and they also don’t have to wear any form of identification. This can make it hard to judge whether a service dog is real or fake based solely on their appearance. However, watch out for the following behavioral signs:
Aggressive or Unruly Behavior
Service dogs must remain under their handler’s control at all times, and that includes in public spaces. Due to this, genuine service dogs are trained to have impeccable public manners. They are calm, even-tempered, and do not react to distractions.
A service dog that is disruptive or risks endangering others can be legally removed from the premises, according to the ADA.
So, if the dog is exhibiting aggressive or unruly behavior? This is a telltale sign that they aren’t truly a service dog. Other examples of unruly behavior to watch out for include:
- Chewing on their leash or other items
- Getting distracted by their environment
- Trying to engage with other people instead of focusing their attention on their handler
- Pulling (if leashed) or wandering off without their owner
Not Responding to Verbal Commands
Service dogs must respond to all commands reliably and consistently, regardless of their environment and the distractions lurking about. If you notice that the service dog is ignoring their owner’s commands, including basic commands such as “sit” or “wait,” it’s highly likely that they aren’t a genuine service dog.
Excessive Barking
Excessive barking could be a trained task in itself; the service dog may be barking to alert their handler to something or to gain attention from a nearby passerby. However, if it’s evident that the dog is barking because they’re reactive or uncomfortable in their surroundings, this is a dead giveaway that they aren’t a real service dog.
A genuine service dog would never excessively bark, whine, or howl in public. They would instead remain calm and stay focused on their owner.
The Dog is Being Held
While this doesn’t necessarily mean that the dog isn’t a trained service animal, it is a sign to watch out for. Service dogs usually keep their paws on the floor since they need to be able to perform their trained tasks at a moment’s notice. They will either be leashed, harnessed, or walk closely next to their owners with impeccable manners.
Next Steps: Reporting a Fake Service Dog
If you’re confident that the service dog isn’t genuine, the next step is to report the owner to the appropriate authorities. You can file a complaint with a local service dog organization, the ADA, or the police. Faking a service dog can come with hefty fines and penalties, with the exact punishment depending on the state you reside in.
If you’re in a public space, such as a restaurant or grocery store, you can also reach out to a staff member with your concerns. Make sure to specify all of the reasons why you feel the service dog isn’t genuine. For example, you should mention if they’re barking excessively or disrupting other customers.