“No Tolerance”: Untrained “Service Dog” Causes Chaos, Owners Fume When They’re Kicked Out

There was a time when no pet was welcome in restaurants. Nowadays, it’s quite the opposite. BringFido estimates that there are around 78,873 dog-friendly restaurants in the United States. Many more are friendly to service animals, but some people, unfortunately, take advantage of that.

One couple brought their service pet to a restaurant, but it soon became clear that the animal is not well-behaved. When the dog began jumping on one of the servers, another decided to intervene. She knew the restaurant’s rights regarding service animals, so, she wasn’t afraid to call out the couple.

A couple came in to a restaurant with a service dog, but the animal behaved awfully

Couple walking a dog with a fake service dog vest on a city sidewalk.

Image credits: Brian Wangenheim (not the actual image)

One server then surmised that the couple is lying about the dog being a real service animal and kicked them out

Text highlighting knowing rights to refuse entry of fake service dogs in a business setting.

Text about fake service dog refusing commands and behaving disruptively.

Text describing an incident involving a couple and a fake service dog.

Text from an article about a server and fake service dog situation.

Close-up of a barking dog with mouth open, emphasizing rights regarding fake service dogs.

Image credits: EyeEm (not the actual image)

Text describing a chaotic scene with a fake service dog jumping on a server in a restaurant.

Text image about knowing rights regarding service animals, with emphasis on correcting a common misconception.

Text warning about fake service dogs and non-recognized registrations by ADA.

Text screenshot about a dog jumping on another server, related to fake service dogs.

Server holding two plates with meals in a restaurant setting, highlighting rights concerning service animals.

Image credits: dnepr.photo (not the actual image)

Text about a server challenging a couple with a fake service dog card, as manager supports the decision.

Text highlighting the importance of genuine service dogs, stating ADA requirements and warning against fake service dogs.

Text about knowing rights to address misuse of fake service dogs in businesses, urging action against deceptive practices.

A woman eats near a table with a dog looking at food, highlighting rights about fake service dogs.

Image credits: Sandra Seitamaa (not the actual image)

Text edit thanking those sharing experiences with fake service dogs, highlighting a common issue.

Text urging employees to know rights to address fake service dog issues safely and legally.

Text image with a message addressing a couple about fake service dog incident, encouraging them to have a better day.

Image credits: sheabutterbeb

Business owners have the right to ask owners to leave if their dog is not under control

This story illustrates how there might be a growing number of people abusing the regulations around service animals. More and more restaurateurs and servers may be facing customers with fake service animals, so, how do you spot a true service animal?

The ADA describes service animals as those who can provide tasks such as leading the blind, pulling a person in a wheelchair, alerting a person with a seizure disorder, providing balance and stability, or even searching a room for a person with PTSD.

They make an important distinction that a service animal is not a pet. So, emotional support animals, therapy dogs, and so on, aren’t considered service animals and don’t have the privileges.

To know if an animal is a service animal, business owners and employees can enquire about it. But, just as the author clarified in the comments, they’re not allowed to ask what kind of disability the person has, ask for proof, a vest, or an identifying tag, and can’t ask the dog to perform the tasks he’s trained to perform.

“If a service animal behaves in an unacceptable way and the person with a disability does not control the animal, a business or other entity has the right to ask that the dog be removed,” the ADA clearly states. If the dog disrupts the business or poses a threat to other customers or staff, it’s lawful to ask them to leave.

Man in white shirt sitting at cafe with dog, using smartphone, highlighting service dog awareness.

Image credits: Getty Images (not the actual image)

Many people, unfortunately, take advantage of the privileges that folks with service animals get

When a restaurant has a “No pets” policy, claiming that your pet is a service animal prohibits the business owner from asking you to leave. As businesses can’t refuse entry to people with disabilities who have real service animals, some people might take advantage of this loophole. A “No pets” policy on its own is completely legal, but it doesn’t allow exclusion of service animals.

Some pet owners who live in rental housing might falsely claim that their emotional support animal or pet is a service animal. Under the Fair Housing Act, only people with disabilities can have pets if their landlord has a “No pet” policy. If the tenant lies that their pet is a service animal, the landlord cannot kick them out or ban them from having a pet.

Some U.S. states have passed laws that penalize people taking advantage of the service animal laws. Punishments vary from $25 to $1,000 fines to community service and even jail time. In Michigan, claiming your animal is a service animal when it’s not can get you up to 90 days in jail. In Alabama, pretending you have a disability to get around your landlord’s “No pet” policy can cost from $500 to $3,000 in fines.

Pretending to have a service animal is also very damaging to people with disabilities who rely on their service animals for real. Just like the author argued, unruly fake service animals create a false stereotype that all service animals misbehave.

In reality, fake service animals can cause problems in public places where real service animals, who are trained to be calm and respectful, might get attacked by an untrained, fake service animal, causing injuries and maybe even fatalities.

Akita dog in a red harness, standing indoors, focus on knowing rights about fake service dogs.

Image credits: Anastassia Anufrieva (not the actual image)

In the comments, the server clarified how restaurant staff can address potentially fake service dogs

Discussion about rights to eject a fake service dog from a restaurant for being disruptive.

Discussion on handling fake service dogs in establishments, emphasizing video proof and 24/7 camera use for evidence.

Text exchange about fake service dogs and their impact on real service dog users.

Server recounts experience with couple's fake service dog that bit them.

Text exchange about fake service dog causing chaos in a dining area.

Reddit post discussing rights related to identifying fake service dogs.

Comments discussing fake service dogs and defending rights at a restaurant.

Text discussing rights regarding fake service dogs and restaurant policies.

Reddit comments discuss server rights and fake service dog behavior in restaurants.

Text discussing real and fake service dog issues and management addressing behavior.

The story sparked debate in the comments with people calling for better regulations of service animals

Comment by user explaining the importance of having a "well trained service animal.

Reddit post by snowwhite2591 discussing experiences with fake service dog owners in restaurants and retail stores.

Text from user "pekoe-G" about the issue of fake service dogs affecting those in need.

Text from a server about dealing with fake service dogs at a brewery.

Reddit comment about fake service dogs comparing it to misuse of handicap parking, emphasizing fines and repercussions.

Comment discussing challenges for legitimate service dogs due to fake service dogs.

Text from a server expressing frustration about an out-of-control service dog in a restaurant.

Text conversation about an elderly mother with a fake service dog, discussing concerns over certification and safety.

Text explaining real versus fake service dogs and their impact on owners' rights.

Comment criticizing fake service dogs, emphasizing need for better regulations.

Text recounting a server's experience with a couple bringing a fake service dog.

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