Saw a pet dog (non-service dog) in Magic Kingdom yesterday

[Granny square]

I can't help but notice that while several people have commented on seeing dogs at the Magic Kingdom, no one in this thread has yet described seeing a single dog barking or biting people at the park.

I should hope not!

But I do know someone who lies about their dog being a service dog. She bought a vest and hasn't ever been asked for any documentation. Can they ask for it?

I do feel bad for people who have a fear of dogs and allergies.

I am all for therapy dogs etc. I hate to think the nursing homes would limit them. We had our dog with us while we kept vigil with my grandma.

 

[Lemonademouth]

They didn't have "invisible disabilities", even though they may have claimed they did.

They didn't need that GAC, even though they may have claimed they did.

They didn't need a scooter, even though they may have claimed they did.

They didn't have a "glandular problem", even though they may have claimed they did.

Their kid wasn't autistic, even though they may have claimed he was.

They didn't have a genuine reason to be on their cellphone during the parade, even though they may have claimed they did.

Personally I don't understand how I could possibly enjoy my vacation, if I was busy thinking these things about everyone around me.

While on the one hand it would be quite the talent to be able to judge the worthiness of people I'd never even spoken to, on the other hand it'd also be hard knowing that I'm surrounded by cheats and liars and that I'm the last honest person in the world.

Ultimately, that'd be pretty embittering, I'd think!

I think I'm happier just continuing to believe in people.

Yes!! Could not have said it better myself. When I'm on vacation I am there to have fun. I barely notice all these things because I could care less. When in in the house of mouse all cares and worries go away and 'issues' roll off my shoulders. WDW is the only vacation spot that dh and I haven't gotten into an argument at. Everything is happy!!! Letting this stuff get to you just ruins the magic.

 

[JanaDee]

I should hope not!

But I do know someone who lies about their dog being a service dog. She bought a vest and hasn't ever been asked for any documentation. Can they ask for it?

I do feel bad for people who have a fear of dogs and allergies.

Barking is what drew my attention to the fact there was a dog in the MK.

 

[jtopp]

Saw one a few years ago in MK. Small dog dyed to match its owners handbag( where it was hidden) was with it's owner getting a picture taken with Santa.
Owner acted like she was some big celebrity, fussing over herself and the dog, wondering why everyone didn't bow down and adore her and her pet. No way this was a service animal, unless the malady suffered by the owner was conceit and selfishness!

 

[dimndgal1]

Saw one a few years ago in MK. Small dog dyed to match its owners handbag( where it was hidden) was with it's owner getting a picture taken with Santa.
Owner acted like she was some big celebrity, fussing over herself and the dog, wondering why everyone didn't bow down and adore her and her pet. No way this was a service animal, unless the malady suffered by the owner was conceit and selfishness!

Maybe not a celebrity, but I do know the rich/famous have ways of getting around the rules of us mere mortals: Oprah notoriously brought her dog to Hawaii for a trip without having to go through the quarantine process. For the little people, the quarantine process takes 6 months of pre-trip testing, vet visits, and documentation (as well as about $300 in costs) as well as a ride in the cargo hold to HOPE your dog won't have to stay in quarantine. For Oprah, it was a hop on the private jet.

I LIKE to hope that every dog I see in a place it shouldn't be is a working dog... just keeps me from getting spooled up about people who manipulate the systems and make it harder for those of us who abide by the rules.

 

[Granny square]

Barking is what drew my attention to the fact there was a dog in the MK.

Should have stated "biting". Most dogs don't bite. It would be a statistical surprise if someone had been bitten. Sorry for the miscommunication.

 

[spidet1964]

We saw a little service dog in the MK on Tuesday. The dog was tiny, but was wearing a red vest that denoted him as a service dog. It may have been the same one! But I have to say, this dog was curious and looking all around and did not have the typical level of focus most service dogs I see have.

That said, my mom's friend paid $50 online for a certificate to make her dog a service dog so she could take it places So I guess you never know....

You cant do yhat here in Mo. They have to go yhrough training and test out to be certified.

 

[CandleontheWater]

I don't care if people sneak their pets in as "service/therapy/companion animals", as long as they keep up the facade of them actually being working dogs.

What I don't appreciate is the woman in the MK who was encouraging my son to pet her service dog, while I was telling him that we don't ever touch working dogs. I don't care what your problem is, your dog is not going to be able to do its job properly if it is being distracted by my hyper-active three year old.

 

[mattsdragon]

I don't care if people sneak their pets in as "service/therapy/companion animals", as long as they keep up the facade of them actually being working dogs.

What I don't appreciate is the woman in the MK who was encouraging my son to pet her service dog, while I was telling him that we don't ever touch working dogs. I don't care what your problem is, your dog is not going to be able to do its job properly if it is being distracted by my hyper-active three year old.

This. . .service dogs are not supposed to get petted and attention if they are working.

Chances are, if the woman was encouraging it, then it wasn't a service animal.

 

[momof2n2]

IMO There are two kinds of people who bring pets to theme parks.
People who need them, or idiots.
Let's hope the latter doesn't ruin it for the former.

 

[heathere3]

I love dogs, and have zero issue with service dogs going anywhere. That being said, I'm also allergic to them, and my best friend severely so. We've had to leave restaurants in the past when someone was seated too close with a service dog. And that's the right way to handle it to me. The person needing the dog would certainly rather be in our position.
That being said, the number of fake service dogs around here is getting to be a joke, and a royal PITA. If you have a yappy little thing in your purse that you're trying to get folks to pet, that's not a service dog! Get it OUT of the restaurant! I actually ended up getting a manager last weekend to evict someone because their "service dog" wouldn't stop barking during the movie!

 

[Magpie]

This. . .service dogs are not supposed to get petted and attention if they are working.

Chances are, if the woman was encouraging it, then it wasn't a service animal.

I wish ALL owners of legitimate service dogs were responsible, but sadly they're not.

There's a blind fellow in my husband's hometown who is notorious for ruining his seeing eye dogs. I saw him with my own eyes, dragging his poor dog across the street on a red light. He never lets his dog lead. And when his dog spotted my dog (who was in my lap, being very quiet), it started lunging and barking, and the guy got mad at ME instead of correcting his dog!

My mother-in-law told me he actually returned his first dog to the Society, claiming it was defective. They gave him another dog, and when he ruined that one too, refused to take it back. So that's the one he's stuck with.

Fact is, even if someone's negligent about their training and ownership, that doesn't mean it wasn't a real service dog at one time. There's no way anyone can prevent this guy from taking his Seeing Eye Dog anywhere he wants, regardless of how badly behaved he's made it.

 

[*NikkiBell*]

I'm sorry, but Disney searches bags at bag check before entering the park. They even check my camera bag. I'd be really surprised to hear that they missed a dog.

 

[livndisney]

I wish ALL owners of legitimate service dogs were responsible, but sadly they're not.

There's a blind fellow in my husband's hometown who is notorious for ruining his seeing eye dogs. I saw him with my own eyes, dragging his poor dog across the street on a red light. He never lets his dog lead. And when his dog spotted my dog (who was in my lap, being very quiet), it started lunging and barking, and the guy got mad at ME instead of correcting his dog!

My mother-in-law told me he actually returned his first dog to the Society, claiming it was defective. They gave him another dog, and when he ruined that one too, refused to take it back. So that's the one he's stuck with.

Fact is, even if someone's negligent about their training and ownership, that doesn't mean it wasn't a real service dog at one time. There's no way anyone can prevent this guy from taking his Seeing Eye Dog anywhere he wants, regardless of how badly behaved he's made it.

Actually there is-it is called the ADA. It states quite clearly that Service animals CAN be removed when not under control.

"A person with a disability cannot be asked to remove his service animal from the premises unless: (1) the dog is out of control and the handler does not take effective action to control it or (2) the dog is not housebroken. When there is a legitimate reason to ask that a service animal be removed, staff must offer the person with the disability the opportunity to obtain goods or services without the animal’s presence."

 

[Magpie]

Actually there is-it is called the ADA. It states quite clearly that Service animals CAN be removed when not under control.

"A person with a disability cannot be asked to remove his service animal from the premises unless: (1) the dog is out of control and the handler does not take effective action to control it or (2) the dog is not housebroken. When there is a legitimate reason to ask that a service animal be removed, staff must offer the person with the disability the opportunity to obtain goods or services without the animal’s presence."

I'm Canadian.

I don't think the Americans with Disabilities Act applies to us. All I know is that the retail folks in that town feel like their hands are tied when it comes to this guy and his dog. And they don't like it.

Interestingly, there's a lady in a motorized wheelchair who has a tiny dog that sits quietly at her feet (or in her basket), who's welcome everywhere in town. It's probably not an "official" service animal like his, but it doesn't cause anyone any trouble and she's not obnoxious about it.

 

[livndisney]

I'm Canadian.

I don't think the Americans with Disabilities Act applies to us. All I know is that the retail folks in that town feel like their hands are tied when it comes to this guy and his dog. And they don't like it.

Interestingly, there's a lady in a motorized wheelchair who has a tiny dog that sits quietly at her feet (or in her basket), who's welcome everywhere in town. It's probably not an "official" service animal like his, but it doesn't cause anyone any trouble and she's not obnoxious about it.

Quick review of several Canadian sites include wording such as "In the event that a service animal's behavior poses a direct threat to the health or safety of others or if the service animal is acting out of control and the owner does not take action to correct its behavior, (Business) has the right to exclude the animal from its premises. "

 

[larryz]

Quick review of several Canadian sites include wording such as "In the event that a service animal's behavior poses a direct threat to the health or safety of others or if the service animal is acting out of control and the owner does not take action to correct its behavior, (Business) has the right to exclude the animal from its premises. "

Ah, yes, but as with kids, one person's "acting out of control" is another person's "youthful exuberance."

 

[Pea-n-Me]

A hamster is not a service animal.

"I'm offended!"

 

[Magpie]

Hey, did you know there's an organization known as Service Dogs of Florida (http://2012.servicedogsfl.org/) that helps train service dogs of all shapes and sizes, AND frequently does group trips to WDW?

Everyone brings their service dog!

Some of the pics are hilarious:

More here: http://bellathecertifiedservicedog.blogspot.ca/

So whatever personal issues other folks might have with dogs, I'm glad Disney accommodates people with disabilities.

Awww....!

 

[larryz]

That dog is probably wondering what was in the kibble that morning...