The service animal bill has been given final approval and sign by Governor Dayton.
CHAPTER 106—House File No. 3157
“NOTICE – Service Animals Welcome. It is illegal for a person to misrepresent an animal in that person’s possession as a service animal.”
Why does this affect resorts? We have had service animals at our resort. They are highly trained and we hardly notice they are with us. I have heard accounts where pets passed off as service animals have actually attacked service animals and the service animal is trained not to fight back and was badly injured.
There are also those grocery store incidents where service animals are trained to void at appropriate times and places. Pets being passed off as service dogs may be using your groceries to relieve themselves. Seriously.
I have a brother who is blind and find it disheartening to hear folks who simply want to take their pets on vacation with them would try to pass their pets off. There is a real need and laws for service dogs and their person, and we take this important job they do seriously. Hopefully the possible fine this new law may pass will discourage people who misrepresent their pets.