The article doesn’t say the dog was wearing service dog garb. I doubt it was wearing it which is what set off the event.
The dog would need to be wearing the garb AND leashed.
I am considering getting a note from my husband’s dr. to have our little Havanese designated as a “service dog” -
The reason, my husband has Parkinsons, and is very depressed and anxious. All of the meds tried so far have not relieved his distress, and this is a man who was never depressed one day in his life before this terrible disease started destroying his nervous system.
Walking our little dog is the only activity he regularly enjoys, and he doesn’t want to leave our senior apt. without the dog.
I would take the dog in a proper carrier, and never let the dog out of it in a restaurant or public location. The dog is well-behaved, doesn’t bark, and is not at all a nuisance.
What is your opinion on this? Some of you seems to find the idea of service animals annoying, but are there any circumstances that you would find acceptable?
That having been said: If she was letting her dog poop in the floor AND threw the coffee at the "manager" it still doesn't excuse STRIKING THE CUSTOMER!
She could have called the police if she felt all was that wrong.
In Florida service dogs are not required to wear a vest or any kind of “garb” that would immediately identify them as a service dog. It’s up to the service dog user as to whether they want the dog to wear anything.