This have taken us time to think how to answer this. Why? because LMM & I have seen lurkings here and other message boards. Read respone's about service dog's, How they can gain access with their "PET" dog claim to be service dog. Only they may not understand it's agaist the law. They can be fined & court cost.
Now to answer your questions.
No your service dog doesn't need to be certified. but when you train or have your dog train for being your service dog, It helps to do when they are puppy's. Because if you are very confronted by ADA , ADA will know if this is a pet or service dog! The two are very differnet from each other, Even they have the same blood line. service dog's have long hard hours of training, where your pet dog may never see this kind of training.
Service dog go in resturants, When you are eating you don't want your service dog eating everything off the floor or begging for food. Plus people food put weight on your service dog, over weight is not good or health for your service dog!
You really don't want to train your dog any aggression behavior's! This is what happens too offen when teaching your your dog to be protect of! If she/he hasn't had the proper training. Here again key answer "Proper Training".
Also playing your tug-of-war with your dog teach's bad manner's!
Now Pete,
You need DEMAND police officer to take your report. It's your right to have police officer hold up the law. If not, go to police department ask to speak with chief of police. Tell him/her your name what happen where date . If police office show up get his/her name give this to chief. Now if LMM have has this happen too, She would let public know what happen. By going to local T.V Newspaper. We bet you tell Chief this, Something will be done!
You have right to shop at that store, they have no bussiness ask you any
paper work on yourself and/ or your dog! Point blank!
File a formal complaint w/ ADA... 800 - 514 0383 TTD
They do a full research on this. please keep in touch w/ them!
Side note Pete, when if you do speak w/ chief. I would advice to bring to his/her attention, That you be more then happy to train him and /or personal
about service dogs. Set up meeting date. Bring infor about service dog & rights!Run copy's of your paper work to hand out. Hope this turn out to be helpfull for your city! But most important yourself & rights!
LMM
