Dogs at Pop

[connie254]

This situation has nothing to do with the pet policy, as the dog was a service animal (real or not). Service animals have always been allowed anywhere.

So because the owner states it is a service animal, it is allowed to do that to my son without any repercussions? Simply stating it is a service animal and allowing it to behave more like a pet than a working animal should have more regulations.

 

[BrianL]

So because the owner states it is a service animal, it is allowed to do that to my son without any repercussions? Simply stating it is a service animal and allowing it to behave more like a pet than a working animal should have more regulations.

No, it doesn't. In fact, even a service animal can be removed from a location if it is being disruptive and not behaving like a service animal should. It would be up to Disney to address this, but I think they should crack down on it. Ask the questions they are allowed to ask and monitor for poorly behaved animals.

That said, a lapse in behavior doesn't necessarily mean it wasn't a service animal. Like people, sometimes they may lose focus and may not do their work. This behavior should be immediately corrected by the owner who should also maintain control of the animal at all times. The fact that she had let go of the leash definitely puts her in the wrong.

 

[Moliphino]

So because the owner states it is a service animal, it is allowed to do that to my son without any repercussions? Simply stating it is a service animal and allowing it to behave more like a pet than a working animal should have more regulations.

I didn't say that at all. I just said it has nothing to do with the PET policy because it wasn't there as a pet.

 

[danikoski]

The fact that she had let go of the leash definitely puts her in the wrong.

This is where there was a problem. With the owner. I can give the dog a pass for only being with the family for 6-7 months, and then they take it to WDW. I can't give the mom a pass for letting go of the leash. That may have been a signal that it was off the job. I knew a service dog that when its vest was taken off, it became a wild and crazy puppy. Not bad, but definitely rambunctious and playful. When he had the vest on, he was all business. So the dog may have been a service dog, but both the family and the dog may have needed more training on how to work with each other. And Disney is a high stress environment to take a new service dog and family. Not giving the woman a pass. She should have been in control of the dog. Just saying, it still could have been a legitimate service dog.

 

[Amy&Dan]

I'm not convinced it was a service animal. When the owner stated the dog never would leave the child, she never said or hinted the reason why. The fact that it wanted attention from a stranger (my son), gave me the impression it wasn't a service animal.

Exactly. A service dog will not seek attention like that.

 

[Lynne M]

The "is it or isn't it really a service dog" debate is not a topic for the Resorts board. This thread is closed.