[Njagdu] National Park Service seeking comment on proposed regulations

[Ginger Kutsch]

All,

 

The National Park Service is seeking public comment through June 17th on a
proposed rule to revise regulations governing service animals in national
parks.

 

The direct link to the proposed regulations can be found at:

http://www.regulations.gov/#!documentDetail;D=NPS-2014-0002-0001

 

Although federal agencies are not governed by the Americans with
Disabilities Act of 1990, the NPS policy is to align its regulations with
the ADA and make NPS facilities, programs, and services accessible to and
usable by as many people as possible.

 

The proposed rule would define a service animal as a dog that is
individually trained to do work or perform tasks for persons with
disabilities. The work or tasks a service animal is trained to perform must
be directly related to the person's disability. Other species of animals
would not be considered service animals, but park superintendents would have
the authority to allow the use of miniature horses by individuals with
disabilities when appropriate, depending on the type, size, and weight of
the horse.

 

The proposed rule also describes the circumstances under which service
animals would be allowed in a park area. The proposed rule also states that:

"After consultation with the U.S. Public Health Service's Wildlife Health
Branch on the serious potential for disease transmission between service
animals and wildlife, the NPS has determined that a superintendent may use
this authority to require individuals wishing to bring a service animal into
an area where the service animal is likely to pose a threat to the health of
wildlife to demonstrate proof of the service animal's current vaccinations
for diseases such as, but not limited to, rabies, distemper, parvovirus, and
adenovirus, and proof of current treatment for intestinal parasites and
heart worms. An individual could demonstrate proof by showing a copy of a
veterinarian bill for the required vaccines and treatments, a state-issued
rabies tag, and/or a state health certificate, provided that the state
vaccination requirements for the state health certificate mirror those
established by the superintendent."

 

Another part of the proposed rule states:

"To protect park resources and the safety of visitors, the proposed rule
would subject the use of service animals to certain standard rules that also
govern pets. Service animals may not be left unattended, may not make
unreasonable noise or exhibit aggressive behavior, and handlers must comply
with excrement disposal conditions established by the superintendent." 

 

I'd be interested in hearing your thoughts on the proposed regulations for
vaccine requirements and the restriction on leaving service animals
unattended.   

 

Best,

Ginger

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