[nagdu] Fake service dogs news story
Albert J Rizzi
albert at myblindspot.org
Sun Dec 6 13:18:32 UTC 2009
Thank you dear lady! Your help could not have come at a more timely moment.
I am putting together a proposal for making a few educational and
municipality web sites accessible. Thanks will let you know how it changes
my position and thoughts on unemployment, peace.
Albert J. Rizzi, M.Ed.
CEO/Founder
My Blind Spot, Inc.
90 Broad Street - 18th Fl.
New York, New York 10004
www.myblindspot.org
PH: 917-553-0347
Fax: 212-858-5759
"The person who says it cannot be done, shouldn't interrupt the one who is
doing it."
-----Original Message-----
From: nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf
Of Steve Johnson
Sent: Saturday, December 05, 2009 8:50 PM
To: NAGDU Mailing List,the National Association of Guide Dog Users
Subject: Re: [nagdu] Fake service dogs news story
Albert, this should help you with the most current and accurate unemployment
statistics put out by the U S Department of Labor for November, 2009:
http://www.bls.gov/cps/cpsdisability.htm
----- Original Message -----
From: "Julie J" <julielj at windstream.net>
To: "NAGDU Mailing List,the National Association of Guide Dog Users"
<nagdu at nfbnet.org>
Sent: Tuesday, December 01, 2009 1:14 PM
Subject: Re: [nagdu] Fake service dogs news story
> Albert,
>
> Meaning no disrespect here...but I really don't understand how you have
> come
> to the conclusion that there have been no advancements in education for
> blind people and no advancement in social acceptance?
>
> There is the rehab act of 1973, IDEA, the ADA and white cane laws in each
> and every state. did you know that before the white cane laws it was
> considered contributory negligence for a blind person to be out and about
> alone? Yes, if you as a blind person were out going to a store and got
> hit
> by a car crossing the street it would be considered your, the blind
> person,
> fault because you shouldn't have been out in the first place. Nevermind
> the
> pedestrian laws, those didn't apply to blind people.
>
> When I was of school age my parents sent me to a private school to avoid
> the
> special and inadequate education available in the public schools. Earlier
> this year a Mom of a blind child that I mentor and advocate for was
> successful in getting her preschooler both Braille and cane travel
> included
> in his IEP. That may not seem like much to you, but to me and that little
> boy it is quite a bit.
>
> That figure of 70% unemployment is, I believe, from a very old survey. I
> don't know of any recent similar statistics. If you have a source for
> recent data, I would be very interested. BTW here in Nebraska our
> Orientation Center graduates have a 90% employment rate. In the current
> economy that is pretty much par with the national average unemployment
> rate.
> Although here in NE we do have an unemployment rate of less than the
> national average.
>
> I don't think social change is a sprint. I believe it is a marathon. the
> folks on this list have been at it for a long, long time. I know that for
> myself if I tried to achieve full integration for blind people in the next
> year, I would end up in a hospital of some variety for sure. I know
> though,
> that if we all keep at it and do what we can day after day, year after
> year,
> decade after decade, that we will get there.
>
> JMO
> Julie
>
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Albert J Rizzi" <albert at myblindspot.org>
> To: "'NAGDU Mailing List,the National Association of Guide Dog Users'"
> <nagdu at nfbnet.org>
> Cc: "'Kathleen Cochran'" <cochrankat at gmail.com>; <info at myblindspot.org>
> Sent: Tuesday, December 01, 2009 10:07 AM
> Subject: Re: [nagdu] Fake service dogs news story
>
>
>> no offense, but I
>> do not see where there has been a useful approach to education and
>> educating others on things as they relate to blindness. Nothing in my
>> opinion exists like my blind spot and if it does how has it been working
>> for
>> all of you? Has there been a shift in the unemployment rate in recent
>> decades? No, do our blind students get the tools they need from pre-k on
>> to
>> maximize their educational goals and objectives? No. do not misunderstand
>> me, I know many advancements have been realized but now we need to use
>> the
>> tools that exist to further promote our equality. Litigation should be a
>> last option, invite others to an informed and open dialogue and much will
>> shift and be able to further the hard work and efforts of the trail
>> blazers
>> and pioneers of the blind movement. I mean no disrespect but I find
>> that
>> the majority of my blind peers here in my area are malcontent and
>> disappointed in many things that have not changed. There is little hope
>> of
>> leading independent and financially meaningful lives, and that is a
>> conclusion drawn from first hand experiences and conversations with those
>> stuck and those living life to the fullest. So while I do embrace many of
>> the efforts of and what the nfb stands for, I see much room for making a
>> better life for my blind peers from the foundation which was laid by the
>> nfb
>> and which seems to have become splintered and dispersed. Just my thoughts
>> on
>> the matter.
>> Albert J. Rizzi, M.Ed.
>> CEO/Founder
>> My Blind Spot, Inc.
>> 90 Broad Street - 18th Fl.
>> New York, New York 10004
>> www.myblindspot.org
>> PH: 917-553-0347
>> Fax: 212-858-5759
>> "The person who says it cannot be done, shouldn't interrupt the one who
>> is
>> doing it."
>>
>>
>>
>> -----Original Message-----
>> From: nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org] On
>> Behalf
>> Of Margo and Arrow
>> Sent: Tuesday, December 01, 2009 10:31 AM
>> To: NAGDU Mailing List, the National Association of Guide Dog Users
>> Subject: Re: [nagdu] Fake service dogs news story
>>
>> albert, it is good that you wish to help in these areas. I'm thinking
>> that
>> you may be duplicating what the National Federation of the blind is
>> already
>> doing.
>>
>> if you have not done so, please go to
>>
>> http://www.nfb.org
>>
>> and find out what this 50,000-member organization is already dong toward
>> those ends.
>>
>> Your thoughts, beliefs, and your website, etc., are wonderful. You
>> mentioned that you are new to the blindness scene yourself. Please take
>> time to talk with blind folks who have been blind all our lives to find
>> out
>> what paradigms do exist, to find out what we have accomplished, and voice
>> your beliefs, actions, thoughts to all of us. new ideas and new ways of
>> thinking about things are certainly welcome, but, I think you'll find
>> that
>> perhaps a lot of what you suggest is already being done on some level or
>> another. We all are in a position to roll up our sleeves and dive in and
>> do
>>
>> what needs to be done.
>>
>> As we say in the NFB: We know who we are and we won't go back.
>>
>> Margo and Arrow
>> ----- Original Message -----
>> From: "Albert J Rizzi" <albert at myblindspot.org>
>> To: "'NAGDU Mailing List, the National Association of Guide Dog Users'"
>> <nagdu at nfbnet.org>
>> Sent: Tuesday, December 01, 2009 7:53 AM
>> Subject: Re: [nagdu] Fake service dogs news story
>>
>>
>>>I am there with bells on! I incorporated, got approved as a formal
>>>501c3,
>>> got my first grant, got on two tri state area news programs, one
>>> international radio show, am in psychology today magazine on page 74,
>>> have
>>
>>> a
>>> nationally focused board all of whom have one degree of separation from
>>> blindness, and just today secured my first intern, who happens to be
>>> blind,
>>> and all within 9 months of having incorporated. My blind spot will be
>>> that
>>> missing link and I promise to shift the perspectives of all peoples
>>> beliefs
>>> and positions on blindness and work to decrease the unemployment rate
>>> amongst the blind, which I cannot believe has not shifted in nearly 4
>>> decades. I cannot and will not be able to do it alone. So with the
>>> permission of all of you, I would like to post a link to our site and to
>>> our
>>> face book page so we can keep you posted on our efforts, but more
>>> importantly, get your input on how to provide those deliverables which
>>> seem
>>> to have alluded us for so long despite the good work of my blind
>>> predecessors. I was listening to walking alone and marching together
>>> and
>>> heard clearly that education across the board of what our abilities are
>>> in
>>> both the sighted and visually impaired communities are what is lacking.
>>> I
>>> heard tell of our first presidents call to action to protect our
>>> interests
>>> from the muck and mire of the social security system, yet all to many of
>>> us
>>> are right where he feared we would be. I say time to take the initiative
>>> to
>>> build on our fore fathers and mothers efforts and do them proud. That is
>>> what my blind spot hopes to be, promises to be and will be with all of
>>> you
>>> to help mentor and guide me and my team. Peace.
>>>
>>> Albert J. Rizzi, M.Ed.
>>> CEO/Founder
>>> My Blind Spot, Inc.
>>> 90 Broad Street - 18th Fl.
>>> New York, New York 10004
>>> www.myblindspot.org
>>> PH: 917-553-0347
>>> Fax: 212-858-5759
>>> "The person who says it cannot be done, shouldn't interrupt the one who
>>> is
>>> doing it."
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> -----Original Message-----
>>> From: nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org] On
>>> Behalf
>>> Of JULIE PHILLIPSON
>>> Sent: Monday, November 30, 2009 7:16 PM
>>> To: NAGDU Mailing List,the National Association of Guide Dog Users
>>> Subject: Re: [nagdu] Fake service dogs news story
>>>
>>> Albert I hope you are willing to joint in this effort that we have been
>>> doing for the last 80 plus years in this country.
>>>
>>> Julie Phillipson
>>> ----- Original Message -----
>>> From: "Albert J Rizzi" <albert at myblindspot.org>
>>> To: "'NAGDU Mailing List, the National Association of Guide Dog Users'"
>>> <nagdu at nfbnet.org>
>>> Sent: Thursday, November 26, 2009 11:14 AM
>>> Subject: Re: [nagdu] Fake service dogs news story
>>>
>>>
>>>> Well then perhaps it is time for us to inform and educate our community
>>>> on
>>>> their civil liberties and open the door of opportunity for the blind
>>>> rather
>>>> then beating a drum presuming discriminatory practices when many of the
>>>> members of our community are not verse in the laws presently in place
>>>> to
>>>> ensure equality and access for any and all of us navigating life with a
>>>> specific challenge or two. Education for both the sighted and the
>>>> blind
>>>> needs to be the focus in all things if what you say is true. If there
>>>> are
>>>> members of the community who do not know their rights, perhaps we could
>>>> mobilize a social paradigm shift that educates all people on
>>>> accessibility,
>>>> technologies and the immense opportunities which come with the manner
>>>> with
>>>> which we see things as blind people.
>>>>
>>>> Albert J. Rizzi, M.Ed.
>>>> CEO/Founder
>>>> My Blind Spot, Inc.
>>>> 90 Broad Street - 18th Fl.
>>>> New York, New York 10004
>>>> www.myblindspot.org
>>>> PH: 917-553-0347
>>>> Fax: 212-858-5759
>>>> "The person who says it cannot be done, shouldn't interrupt the one who
>>>> is
>>>> doing it."
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> -----Original Message-----
>>>> From: nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org] On
>>>> Behalf
>>>> Of Julie J
>>>> Sent: Thursday, November 26, 2009 9:11 AM
>>>> To: NAGDU Mailing List,the National Association of Guide Dog Users
>>>> Subject: Re: [nagdu] Fake service dogs news story
>>>>
>>>> Albert,
>>>>
>>>> I know of disabled folks who use service animals that are Yorkies or
>>>> Pit
>>>> Bulls. They are not all that common, but if it works for that
>>>> individual,
>>>> why not?
>>>>
>>>> I don't understand why you think that people who want to commit fraud
>>>> by
>>>> passing their pet as a service animal don't know the laws. There's
>>>> loads
>>>> of
>>>>
>>>> disabled people using fully trained service animals that have no clue
>>>> about
>>>> their rights under the law. Likewise there's fraudulent people who
>>>> know
>>>> the
>>>>
>>>> law quite well.
>>>>
>>>> How do you tell the "legitimate" service animals from the "fake" ones?
>>>> Not all service animals do the same tasks. Even within service animals
>>>> of
>>>> the same variety, guide dogs for example, there is still a lot of
>>>> variables.
>>>>
>>>> Who trains the individuals who get to make the determination between
>>>> the
>>>> real ones and the fake ones? How do you ensure personal privacy during
>>>> this
>>>>
>>>> process? How does this work when traveling between
>>>> states/counties/cities?
>>>> How does getting a certification/ID/tag ensure that the dog will behave
>>>> appropriately the next week, the next year, or in situations different
>>>> from
>>>>
>>>> those in the test? Who pays for all of this? How will it not be a
>>>> burden
>>>> to those disabled people who do not attend a residential training
>>>> program?
>>>>
>>>> I'm not opposed to the idea of verification of service animals in some
>>>> way,
>>>>
>>>> but I haven't yet come across answers to all the above questions that
>>>> would
>>>> allow me to feel comfortable supporting a certification process.
>>>>
>>>> I'd love to hear your thoughts.
>>>> Julie
>>>>
>>>> ----- Original Message -----
>>>> From: "Albert J Rizzi" <albert at myblindspot.org>
>>>> To: "'NAGDU Mailing List,the National Association of Guide Dog Users'"
>>>> <nagdu at nfbnet.org>
>>>> Sent: Wednesday, November 25, 2009 7:35 PM
>>>> Subject: Re: [nagdu] Fake service dogs news story
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>>I suppose you can make an argument for any and all instances where you
>>>>>think
>>>>> your rights are being violated. But as I stated, it seems to me that
>>>>> this
>>>>> is
>>>>> an attempt to control liars and those attempting to mislead. As you
>>>>> said
>>>>> federal laws trump codes and such, and you as an informed and educated
>>>>> individual verse in the laws, as are the police, or at least we should
>>>>> hope,
>>>>> I do draw attention to the learning experience at the ice cream parlor
>>>>> we
>>>>> all discussed, should hope and rest assured that we may not be denied
>>>>> access
>>>>> anywhere we travel. Yet, someone who attempts to mislead will not
>>>>> know
>>>>> the
>>>>> law and should and must be held accountable to not having their pet
>>>>> accompany them where our service animals do. How would you suggest
>>>>> combating the misleading individuals who try to pass of yorkies and or
>>>>> pit
>>>>> bulls as service animals? .
>>>>>
>>>>> Albert J. Rizzi, M.Ed.
>>>>> CEO/Founder
>>>>> My Blind Spot, Inc.
>>>>> 90 Broad Street - 18th Fl.
>>>>> New York, New York 10004
>>>>> www.myblindspot.org
>>>>> PH: 917-553-0347
>>>>> Fax: 212-858-5759
>>>>> "The person who says it cannot be done, shouldn't interrupt the one
>>>>> who
>>>>> is
>>>>> doing it."
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>> -----Original Message-----
>>>>> From: nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org] On
>>>>> Behalf
>>>>> Of Marion & Martin
>>>>> Sent: Wednesday, November 25, 2009 7:33 PM
>>>>> To: NAGDU Mailing List, the National Association of Guide Dog Users
>>>>> Subject: Re: [nagdu] Fake service dogs news story
>>>>>
>>>>> Albert,
>>>>> The problem with the tag might be the challenges it would cause for
>>>>> those of us from another jurisdiction who do not have such a tag. If I
>>>>> travel to this area with my guide dog and am questioned about such a
>>>>> tag,
>>>>> would I be denied access because they are imposing more restrictions
>>>>> upon
>>>>> me
>>>>>
>>>>> than the law allows? The ADA protects me no matter where I travel in
>>>>> the
>>>>> U.S. and its territories. If the ADA states there is no documentation
>>>>> required for access and a local jurisdiction imposes a restriction
>>>>> upon
>>>>> me,
>>>>> this jurisdiction is in violation of my rights under Federal law. Even
>>>>> if
>>>>> the tag is an option, some public accommodations may see it as a
>>>>> requirement; thus the local law/ordinance has the effect of creating
>>>>> discrimination against me by confusing the public on this issue.
>>>>>
>>>>> Fraternally yours,
>>>>> Marion
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>> ----- Original Message -----
>>>>> From: "Albert J Rizzi" <albert at myblindspot.org>
>>>>> To: "'NAGDU Mailing List, the National Association of Guide Dog
>>>>> Users'"
>>>>> <nagdu at nfbnet.org>
>>>>> Sent: Wednesday, November 25, 2009 12:58 PM
>>>>> Subject: Re: [nagdu] Fake service dogs news story
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>> To tell you the truth I see the tag "option" more as a tool to
>>>>>> protect
>>>>>> our
>>>>>> rights rather then one to be considered a problem. The code was most
>>>>>> probably created and enforced due to individuals trying to get over
>>>>>> on
>>>>>> society in order to bring their pets wherever they please. A service
>>>>>> animal
>>>>>> in and of itself and their abilities are evident when one sees a
>>>>>> service
>>>>>> animal in action. If however a tag helps protect us from charlatans
>>>>>> and
>>>>>> does
>>>>>> not complicate a true handlers life or access then what is the big
>>>>>> deal?
>>>>>>
>>>>>> Albert J. Rizzi, M.Ed.
>>>>>> CEO/Founder
>>>>>> My Blind Spot, Inc.
>>>>>> 90 Broad Street - 18th Fl.
>>>>>> New York, New York 10004
>>>>>> www.myblindspot.org
>>>>>> PH: 917-553-0347
>>>>>> Fax: 212-858-5759
>>>>>> "The person who says it cannot be done, shouldn't interrupt the one
>>>>>> who
>>>>>> is
>>>>>> doing it."
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>> -----Original Message-----
>>>>>> From: nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org] On
>>>>>> Behalf
>>>>>> Of Linda Gwizdak
>>>>>> Sent: Wednesday, November 25, 2009 12:34 PM
>>>>>> To: NAGDU Mailing List,the National Association of Guide Dog Users
>>>>>> Subject: Re: [nagdu] Fake service dogs news story
>>>>>>
>>>>>> Hi Ann,
>>>>>> I was just as surprized to see in the story that the tags are
>>>>>> mandatory -
>>>>>> just like the law cited about busting people for fraudulent service
>>>>>> animals.
>>>>>>
>>>>>> The thing about the tags is NEVER enforced. I know many guide dog
>>>>>> users
>>>>>> who
>>>>>>
>>>>>> never got around to getting the tags when they started issuing them
>>>>>> several
>>>>>> years ago. I got one so if by chance Landon got loose and was wearing
>>>>>> only
>>>>>> his collar, his finder would know right away that he was a service
>>>>>> dog -
>>>>>> that's the only reason I got it.
>>>>>>
>>>>>> When I got the tag, the Animal Control folks NEVER said that these
>>>>>> tags
>>>>>> were
>>>>>>
>>>>>> mandatory as the officer in the article said. I could very easily
>>>>>> find
>>>>>> out
>>>>>> since I go to their campus to volunteer with the adjoining Humane
>>>>>> Society
>>>>>> twice a month!
>>>>>>
>>>>>> I think the article was addressing that there is a definate problem
>>>>>> with
>>>>>> these "fake" service animals in the San Diego area - and I assume in
>>>>>> other
>>>>>> locales as well. When Channel 10 did the story, they NEVER
>>>>>> approached
>>>>>> the
>>>>>> San Diego guide dog using residents. All they needed to do is call
>>>>>> up
>>>>>> the
>>>>>> Blind Community Center or the San Diego Center for the Blind to find
>>>>>> us.
>>>>>>
>>>>>> So, yeah, the story was contradictory, I can try to contact the
>>>>>> writer
>>>>>> of
>>>>>> the story and find out more. I've just been quite busy with other
>>>>>> pressing
>>>>>> things.
>>>>>>
>>>>>> As to rabbits, I have never encountered one as a service animal and I
>>>>>> don't
>>>>>> think it would be a problem to me as some of these untrained,
>>>>>> unsocialized
>>>>>> dogs people bring out and claim they are their service dogs.
>>>>>>
>>>>>> What I think needs to be done is to bust the offenders who cause
>>>>>> problems.
>>>>>
>>>>>> I
>>>>>>
>>>>>> have encountered some "emotional support" dogs on the bus who were
>>>>>> very
>>>>>> well
>>>>>>
>>>>>> behaved and socialized. the dogs were suited for the work. I even
>>>>>> had
>>>>>> one
>>>>>> that lay under the seat on the bus with Landon and it was Landon who
>>>>>> tried
>>>>>> to misbehave! (grin!) I told these people that I appreciated that
>>>>>> they
>>>>>> had
>>>>>> nice dogs and I have no problem with these. It is unfortunate that
>>>>>> some
>>>>>> people spoil it all for the people who are responsible whether it is
>>>>>> a
>>>>>> pet
>>>>>> or a service dog.
>>>>>>
>>>>>> If people in this country trained their dogs and were responsible
>>>>>> owners,
>>>>>> I
>>>>>> think the bans on dogs would go away. But, you know how it is -
>>>>>> people
>>>>>> lump
>>>>>>
>>>>>> everyone into one group when it comes to dogs or other things. I
>>>>>> wish
>>>>>> that
>>>>>> the OFFENDERS would be punished and leave the good folks alone.
>>>>>>
>>>>>> Have a Happy Thanksgiving everyone!
>>>>>>
>>>>>> Linda and Landon
>>>>>> ----- Original Message -----
>>>>>> From: "Ann Edie" <annedie at nycap.rr.com>
>>>>>> To: "NAGDU Mailing List,the National Association of Guide Dog Users"
>>>>>> <nagdu at nfbnet.org>
>>>>>> Sent: Tuesday, November 24, 2009 12:16 AM
>>>>>> Subject: Re: [nagdu] Fake service dogs news story
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>>> Hi, Linda,
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> The logic behind news stories such as this one never ceases to amaze
>>>>>>> me!
>>>>>>> Can someone please explain to me how banning rabbits as service
>>>>>>> animals
>>>>>>> is
>>>>>>
>>>>>>> going to have any effect on the number of pit bulls, Yorkies, and
>>>>>>> Chihuahuas being fraudulently claimed as service animals?
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> And, while you say that "service dog" tags are not required by
>>>>>>> California
>>>>>>> to gain public access with a service animal, the article clearly
>>>>>>> tells
>>>>>>> the
>>>>>>
>>>>>>> public--and managers of places of public accommodation--the exact
>>>>>>> opposite, "Lt. Dan DeSousa of the San Diego County Animal Shelter
>>>>>>> told
>>>>>>> 10News that California requires all service dogs wear a special tag,
>>>>>>> which
>>>>>>
>>>>>>> can be obtained at your local animal shelter by filling out a form."
>>>>>>> Who
>>>>>>> is John Q. Public going to believe, Linda G. who claims that she has
>>>>>>> the
>>>>>>> right under the ADA to take her "service dog" into any public place
>>>>>>> on
>>>>>>> just her say-so that the dog performs tasks to mitigate her
>>>>>>> disability,
>>>>>>> or
>>>>>>
>>>>>>> Lt. Dan DeSousa, (who sounds like an *official* law enforcement
>>>>>>> officer
>>>>>>> to
>>>>>>
>>>>>>> me), and who clearly states that California requires that a dog be
>>>>>>> wearing
>>>>>>
>>>>>>> "service dog" tags which can be obtained at your local animal
>>>>>>> shelter
>>>>>>> in
>>>>>>> order for the person to be granted public access?
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> What good does it do to state on an e-mail list populated by guide
>>>>>>> dog
>>>>>>> users who already presumably know their rights under the ADA, that
>>>>>>> "Service dog" tags are not required for public access, while Lt. Dan
>>>>>>> DeSousa is quoted in the public media stating the exact opposite?
>>>>>>> Perhaps
>>>>>>
>>>>>>> you should try to interest the TV news organization in airing a
>>>>>>> debate
>>>>>>> on
>>>>>>> the subject of public access by persons with disabilities
>>>>>>> accompanied
>>>>>>> by
>>>>>>> service animals between Lt. Dan DeSousa and yourself or some other
>>>>>>> representative of the disability community. And perhaps they should
>>>>>>> also
>>>>>>> include a user of a service rabbit and a non-disabled person who has
>>>>>>> fraudulently obtained a "service dog" tag for his/her pet pit bull
>>>>>>> in
>>>>>>> the
>>>>>>> debate as well.
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> It is truly an Alice Through the Looking Glass World we live in!
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> Best,
>>>>>>> Ann
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> ----- Original Message -----
>>>>>>> From: "Linda Gwizdak" <linda.gwizdak at cox.net>
>>>>>>> To: "NFBnet NAGDU Mailing List,the National Association of Guide Dog
>>>>>>> Users" <nagdu at nfbnet.org>
>>>>>>> Sent: Monday, November 23, 2009 10:23 PM
>>>>>>> Subject: [nagdu] Fake service dogs news story
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> Hi All,
>>>>>>>> Here below is an article from a newsstory aired last night on San
>>>>>>>> Diego's
>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> KGTV Channel 10. It was a good piece and I wanted to share it with
>>>>>>>> you.
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> The service animal tags issued by SD Animal Control is NOT required
>>>>>>>> to
>>>>>>>> have our guide dogs admitted into public places. Some of us have
>>>>>>>> them
>>>>>>>> and some don't. Under ADA these tags can't be the determining
>>>>>>>> factor
>>>>>>>> in
>>>>>>>> order to admit a service dog - it just lets the public know that
>>>>>>>> the
>>>>>>>> dog
>>>>>>>> has been registered with the County of San Diego as a service dog.
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> We experience the problem of these dogs mentioned in the story all
>>>>>>>> the
>>>>>>>> time. One of my friends was getting off the bus when a "service
>>>>>>>> dog"
>>>>>>>> lunged and growled not only at her guide dog, but at several
>>>>>>>> passengers!
>>>>>>>> The bus driver did nothing about this. He was probably afraid of
>>>>>>>> being
>>>>>>>> sued under ADA.
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> I personally have encountered these nasty dogs on the bus and in
>>>>>>>> public
>>>>>>>> buildings. It sure is scary when all of a sudden you hear this
>>>>>>>> menacing
>>>>>>>> dog near you!
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> I hope the new ADA regs will help get rid of this problem.
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> Linda and Landon
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> Loopholes Allow Pets to Be Taken Anywhere
>>>>>>>> SAN DIEGO -- We all love our pets but some people are willing to
>>>>>>>> break
>>>>>>>> the law so they can take their dogs with them everywhere they go.
>>>>>>>> 10News
>>>>>>>> reporter Rachel Bianco investigated San Diego's canine companion
>>>>>>>> controversy and how it threatens the rights of people who are truly
>>>>>>>> disabled.
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> Sady the miniature daschund doesn't look like your typical service
>>>>>>>> dog
>>>>>>>> nor -- with her jumping and barking -- does she act like one, but
>>>>>>>> when
>>>>>>>> she wore a service dog vest and badge she had no trouble getting
>>>>>>>> into
>>>>>>>> North County restaurants.
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> Tami Michaels has a legitimate disability and a legitimate service
>>>>>>>> dog.
>>>>>>>> She said that when Fido is a fake it poses a real problem.
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> "A lot of them don't have the right temperament to be out in
>>>>>>>> public,"
>>>>>>>> Michaels said. "So, when I go in with my dog to a grocery store or
>>>>>>>> a
>>>>>>>> restaurant, often times these kinds of dogs will lunge and growl
>>>>>>>> and
>>>>>>>> snap
>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> at my dog."
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> But snapping dogs aren't the only problem. "I've seen a lot more
>>>>>>>> suspicion from people where they automatically assume you are
>>>>>>>> trying
>>>>>>>> to
>>>>>>>> pull something over on them," Michaels added.
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> Lt. Dan DeSousa of the San Diego County Animal Shelter told 10News
>>>>>>>> that
>>>>>>>> California requires all service dogs wear a special tag, which can
>>>>>>>> be
>>>>>>>> obtained at your local animal shelter by filling out a form. The
>>>>>>>> only
>>>>>>>> problem, DeSousa said, is that there is no way to follow up on the
>>>>>>>> answers.
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> DeSousa said that when someone applies for a service dog tag the
>>>>>>>> only
>>>>>>>> question they have to answer is if the animal is trained to perform
>>>>>>>> a
>>>>>>>> task for the person. There is no way to verify that what they're
>>>>>>>> saying
>>>>>>>> is true.
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> "Doctors notes and disablities, that's off limits to us," DeSousa
>>>>>>>> said,
>>>>>>>> "we can't ask about that, so we have to take people at their word."
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> So far this year, the county has issued the most service dog
>>>>>>>> tags --
>>>>>>>> 43 -- to labradors. Chihuahuas came in second with 37 tags,
>>>>>>>> beating
>>>>>>>> golden retrievers which had 25.
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> Also curiously high on the list: yorkshire terriers, pit bulls, and
>>>>>>>> pugs.
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> "There are people who want this tag just so they can take their dog
>>>>>>>> wherever they want to, so they can take it into the stores,
>>>>>>>> restaurants
>>>>>>>> and things like that," said DeSousa.
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> "A lot of people really just don't see anyting wrong with it I
>>>>>>>> guess,"
>>>>>>>> Michaels said. "They just really don't understand how much it hurts
>>>>>>>> legitimate service dog teams."
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> Having a fake service animal is a misdemeanor fraud punishable by
>>>>>>>> six
>>>>>>>> months in jail or a $1,000 fine but the San Diego Sheriff's
>>>>>>>> Department
>>>>>>>> told 10News that it has never been enforced.
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> Right now it is simply too hard to tell whether the canine is a
>>>>>>>> con.
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> The U.S. Justice Department is currently looking to tighten the
>>>>>>>> rules
>>>>>>>> for
>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> service animals. The new guidelines under review would exclude
>>>>>>>> reptiles,
>>>>>>>> amphibians, rodents, farm animals, ferrets and rabbits. A final
>>>>>>>> decision
>>>>>>>> is expected by the end of the year.
>>>>>>>> Copyright 2009 by 10News.com. All rights reserved. This material
>>>>>>>> may
>>>>>>>> not
>>>>>>>> be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed
>>>>>>>> _______________________________________________
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