[nagdu] it's not about the money

[Marion Gwizdala]

Julie,

	I would say that the fee charged to those who have animals is not discriminatory, as it is a fee that applies to all who have an animal. On the other hand, the fees charged by a place of public accommodation are fees charged to those with pets and a service animal is not a pet. Access to a place of public accommodation is a civil right and, as such, charging fees for the presence of the service animal would restrict that civil right. Freedom from taxation is not a civil right. In fact, I would say it is a civil responsibility to pay such taxes. is still an animal and subject to the fees charged to all owners of animals to administer a program for the greater good of the community. Some jurisdictions offer concessions to those fees; however, they are not required to do so. JMHO!

Marion Gwizdala



-----Original Message-----
From: nagdu [mailto:nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Julie J. via nagdu
Sent: Thursday, July 30, 2015 4:16 PM
To: the National Association of Guide Dog Users NAGDU Mailing List
Cc: Julie J.
Subject: [nagdu] it's not about the money

On the idea of the dog license issue, I have read most of the messages and there is a lot of, it’s only$10 or $15,  We should just pay it and some places it’s free or discounted. That’s all well and good, but it misses my point entirely.  It’s not about the money.  Here the license is $5 for a spayed or neutered dog.  I can certainly afford $5.   My point is, and always has been, that it is a fee for having a service dog.  The law is specific that no additional fees or taxes can be charged for a service dog.  The context is hotels and the like, but I don’t see how it’s not a fee if the city charges it.   I would not have a guide dog if I wasn’t blind.   I am being charged because I have a guide dog.   To me that seems a contradiction in the law.  I get that the DOJ has now stated that I am in fact wrong and cities can charge service dog users dog license fees.  I’ll obey the law, but that doesn’t mean I agree with it or that it makes any sense what-so-ever.

Julie 
Courage to Dare: A Blind Woman's Quest to Train her Own Guide Dog is now available! Get the book here:
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00QXZSMOC
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