[Nyagdu] New Law Targets Service animal Impostors

[Marion Gwizdala]

NEWS RELEASE

For Immediate Use 

FROM: Florida Association of Guide Dog Users 

DATE: June 30, 2015

TO: All media

RE: New Criminal Law Effective July 1, 2015

CONTACT: Sherrill O'Brien, President

     (813) 935-0474

                     Sherrill.obrien at verizon.net

 

NEW LAW TARGETS SERVICE ANIMAL IMPOSTORS 

 

     On July 1, a new law providing criminal penalties for those who pass
their pets off as service animals took effect. This law, sponsored by
Representative Jimmy Smith (R-Inverness) makes it a second degree
misdemeanor for any person to knowingly and willfully misrepresent herself
or himself as using a service animal and being qualified to use a service
animal or as a trainer of a service animal in order to take advantage of the
civil rights protections afforded to disabled people with legitimate trained
service animals. Those convicted of a violation of this statute would face a
fine of $500 and be required to perform 30 hours of community service. The
entire text of this law is attached to this message. 

 

"The goal of this law is two-fold," says Representative Smith. "Its intent
is to enhance the quality of life for those disabled individuals with a
legitimate need for a service dog and to make the public aware of the
serious detrimental effects caused by their fraudulent actions." 

 

Sherrill O'Brien, president of the Florida Association of Guide dog Users
(FLAGDU), a division of the National Federation of the Blind, supports the
new law and believes it will be a deterrent to those who abuse the system.

 

"I especially like the idea of requiring impersonators to perform community
service," says O'Brien. "It helps to offset the community disservice they
have committed!"  

# # #


About the National Association of Guide dog Users

                The Florida Association of Guide Dog Users is an affiliate
division of the National Association of Guide dog Users, the nation's
leading membership organization for blind people who use guide dogs.  NAGDU
is a strong and proud division of the National Federation of the Blind. We
conduct public awareness campaigns on issues of guide dog use, provide
advocacy support for guide dog handlers who face discrimination, support
sound policy and effective legislation to protect the rights of guide dog
users, offer educational programs to school and civic organizations, and
function as an integral part of the National Federation of the Blind. For
more information about the National Association of Guide Dog Users and to
support our work, you can visit our website at <HTTP://WWW.NAGDU.ORG
<http://www.nagdu.org/> > or send an email to <Info at NAGDU.ORG>.

 

About the NAGDU Guide & Service animal Mobile App

The National Association of Guide dog Users sponsors the NAGDU Service
Animal Information & Advocacy Mobile app! This innovative app provides
general information about the state and federal laws that protect the civil
rights of disabled individuals who use service dogs. The app contains the
full texts of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and each of the
state statutes that affirm the rights of those who use service dogs, as well
as general guidance concerning access to specific types of establishments,
such as hotels, restaurants, taxicabs, health care facilities and more. In
addition, this app provides the ability to directly connect with a live
advocate who has been specially trained to resolve access issues as they
occur and send an email for more specific guidance. This app is provided by
the National Association of Guide dog Users at no charge as a public
service. To download the app, simply type the term "NAGDU" into the app
store's search field.

 

About the National Federation of the Blind

            The National Federation of the Blind is the oldest and largest
organization of the blind in the United States. The NFB knows that blindness
is not the characteristic that defines you or your future. Every day we
raise the expectations of blind people because low expectations are the
obstacles between blind people and our dreams. You can live the life you
want! Blindness is not what holds you back. The Federation provides
scholarships to blind students; support for those who are blind or losing
their eyesight; advocacy for the blind facing discrimination; and
educational programs for the general public on topics of blindness. The NFB
is not an organization that speaks on behalf of the blind; we are the blind
speaking for ourselves.