Nathan Dern walks at a Safeway with his dog, which he said is a service animal.
Posted on 02/16/2012 8:07:59 AM PST by SmithL
There are Labradoodles in the produce aisle. There's a little Australian terrier sniffing the potato chips. Yes, there are dogs in the supermarket, particularly in San Francisco.
And God help us, one of these days there may be a miniature pony in the checkout line. Seriously.
And it's all perfectly legal. Or imperfectly legal, depending on whom you ask.
Technically, these are service animals. But the technicality is starting to drive customers, supermarket owners and animal control officials around the bend.
"This service animal thing is getting a little out of control," said Vicky Guldbech, captain of San Francisco's Department of Animal Care and Control. "Even my staff is saying, 'Wait a minute, that's a service animal?' "
Let's face it, everything from an iguana to a chicken has been called a service animal in the city.
But enough is enough, and some Safeway stores started posting notices saying that dog owners who fraudulently claim their dog is a service animal are subject to California Penal Code 365.7, which could result in "imprisonment in the county jail" and/or a fine that could run to $1,000.
According to the Americans with Disabilities Act, when a supermarket operator finds a dog in his store he can only ask two questions:
"Is the dog a service animal required because of a disability? What work or task has the dog been trained to perform?"
So, says Susan Houghton, director of public affairs for Safeway in Northern California, if the owner says the dog is required and it is needed for "physical, sensory, psychological or mental" assistance, the dog stays.
"You can't say, 'Prove it,' " Houghton says. "If the customer learns to answer the questions in the right way there is nothing we can do."
(Excerpt) Read more at sfgate.com ...
Nathan Dern walks at a Safeway with his dog, which he said is a service animal.
Correct me if I'm wrong, but didn't the SFGate just help everybody learn to answer the questions in the right way?
Just how many San Franciscans get mental assistance from a dog?
Never mind, don't answer that.
"Yes sir. The dog picks out munchies for me when I'm too stoned on medical marijuana to do it myself."
People in San Francisco love their animals and pets don’t they?
The city is concerned about the declining number of families with children living there. The city has studied that problem, as it impacts the tax base, and the schools, and the vibe of neighborhoods, among other issues. But they cater to those who are childless, and pamper their pets instead.
I’ve received “mental assistance” from my miniature schnauzer before. Everytime I’d drive by a BK or a McD’s, she’d start barking like crazy, reminding me to go through the drive-thru and get her a cheeseburger. And one for me too, of course.
You know, so I wouldn’t starve or anything.
CLEAN UP ON AISLE 6 has a new meaning now =)
Lol!
My dog provides entertainment, joy, love, exercise and protection...
She must be a service animal...
All I really have to do is throw the ball...
San Francisco ... where they service animals.
But dogs are Haram.....
Someone might get offended.
Gross! Dog slobber on the other product surrounding the product he chooses.
Just another instance of the fine citizens of San Francisco trying to push the envelope by twisting existing laws that were meant for seeing eye dogs. Perfectly understandable when you consider the high number of lib/commie lawyers in that town, and their potential clients who want to hit the lottery with a lawsuit. SF is a beautiful city geographically, but a complete hive of scum socially.
"Seeing Eye Horse"
If it weren't locked in my cell phone, I'd post a picture of exactly that, except that it was in a Books-A-Millon.
“Just how many San Franciscans get mental assistance from a dog?”
Two months ago I was in the security line at McLaren in Las Vegas. There was a girl in front of me with a little dog strapped to her chest. I happen to like dogs and I commented on hers. She told me that the dog was a service animal. I asked her what service it provided, she told me “emotional support”.
Granted, she appeared to be one these harmless souls who are afraid of their own shadow, but it was a first for me.
Got me wondering.. I’d like to bring my dog with me on my next trip, I wonder if that “emotional support” reason would work for me as well?
OK. We won't talk about dogs, but do you want to talk about gerbils?
It works. As the article stated, THE MAN is not allowed to hassle you about it.
Hmmmm...no mention of service gerbils. Did the kill them all?
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