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Can the Police Ask for Service Dog Proof?

What the ADA says: Police, like any other third party, can verify a service dog by asking two questions: 1. Is the dog a service dog required for a disability? and 2. What work or task has the dog been trained to perform?
Do you have to provide the police with anything else? Just like with other third parties, you can voluntarily show a service dog ID card, vest, tag, or certificate. However, you can’t be denied entry if you don’t have or just forgot to bring these items.
How service dog accessories make life easier 🐕🦺 :
Rather than explaining their situation to every passerby in a no-dog environment or having people inappropriately touch their dog, service dog owners use these items to visually inform others and keep them at a safe distance.
Countless service dog handlers are repeatedly badgered for ID cards and certificates to prove they own a service dog. Therefore, many owners have these items handy instead of getting into recurring debates about service dog verification procedures.
What else to keep in mind: Remember, most people are not as well-informed about service dog rights. You can present your service dog ID card, certificate, or other accessories, but if you don’t have these items on you, the best course of action is to calmly explain that answering the two questions defined by the ADA is sufficient.
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It is not required by law for service dog users to use any type of id or certificate. Every single legitimate handler I have met despises this sh-t because it makes it HARDER for us to patronize businesses when they expect us to hand over some fake ID printed off Amazon!!! Soooooooooooo many FAKE service dog handlers and their PETS with a $20 “Service Dog” vest off of Amazon have and present these id cards and/or certificates to businesses to gain entry for their bada-ss untrained, aggressive chihuahua, and then the next time a LEGITIMATE service dog handler comes in with their REAL service dog, then they’re turned away or denied access because they didn’t present a fake card for conditional entry!! These ID cards and certificates are NOT actually used by service dog teams because they do NOT. HELP. US. If you cared an OUNCE about the disabled community that needs to utilize service dogs to LIVE, you would stop selling this sh-t!!!!!!
We hear both sides of the issue and believe its better to give service dog owners the option for a few reason. 1. Service dog owners tell us that ID cards help them in the same way vests and tags do, they’re visual signals to leave their dogs alone. 2. As you point out, service dog owners are unfairly harassed for ID cards – many choose to just show them instead of having a fight. 3. The best way to solve this would be to better educate everyone about service dog rules and make the public understand that ID cards are not required. We always emphasize that service dog owners do not need ID cards and no third party has the right to demand one. Companies that sell ID cards who claim otherwise are acting unethically. 4. We have also heard the opposite position from service dog owners – many want a program for an official ID card to prevent fraud. Others however believe that would just create additional burden and expense for owners.
Thank you for speaking truth! Not only do I train Estes. I have one of my own and have had one since 1999 because of my disabilities. One thing that people need to understand is if a person is refused entry from to an establishment with their SD that is against the law and that establishment can be sued. When I have told him establishment owner this and I asked them to look it up, they do, and I am granted entry. However, because of untrained phony STDs and these. IDs sold online they hassle becomes more frequent.