ranted blogged about this before (you can read about it HERE) and it continues to be a topic she holds near and dear to her heart. Far too many veterans have been hassled and made to leave too many businesses. If you ever want to push my mom’s buttons, just hassle a veteran and his service dog! Trust me when I say…it is not a pretty sight and comes complete with HBO words.
In an article over the weekend indicating Congress is considering tightening the rules regarding service animals allowed on airplanes, Senator Richard Burr (R-N.C.) recently introduced a bill that “would align the definition of a service animal to fit the stricter regulations in the American with Disabilities Act (ADA).” Noting things have gotten completely out of hand after someone tried to bring a kangaroo onboard as a support animal, Burr said in a news release, the proposed rule would establish criminal penalties for falsely asserting a family pet is a “service animal.” Mom told me she’s witnessed first hand peeps trying to bring small purse sized dogs onboard as a therapy pet. This isn’t Noah’s Ark people! Earlier this year, Delta Airlines announced steps it will undertake in tightening procedures after passengers tried to fly with an assortment of “comfort animals” such as turkeys, snakes, and spiders. Excuse me? A snake is NOT a comfort animal in my books!
The proposed legislation has the backing of Airlines for America, the advocacy group for the airline industry and the Association of Service Dog Providers for Military Veterans. Under the ADA, a service animal is defined as a creature that has been trained to perform specific tasks to assist people with disabilities such as seeing eye dogs. These so-called ‘comfort dogs’ do not fit into the legal description under this legislation.
Notwithstanding whether or not the House will take up this piece of legislation, do you think this is a step in the right direction?
Live, love, bark! 🐾