New Definition of Service Animal

March 15, 2011 - new legislation takes affect as to the defnition of a service animal under the Department of Justice’s Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) regulations.


The new regulations now define "service animal" as a dog that has been individually trained to do work or perform tasks for the benefit of an individual with a disability. The rule states that other animals, whether wild or domestic, do not qualify as service animals. Dogs that are not trained to perform tasks that mitigate the effects of a disability, including dogs that are used purely for emotional support, are no longer considered to be service animals. The final rule also clarifies that individuals with mental disabilities who use service animals that are trained to perform a specific task are protected by the ADA. For more information about the new regulatory provisions regarding service animals, please visit the ADA's website.

http://mpetersesq.com/animal.html

PETITION TO PROTECT SEEING EYE DOGS

Most people are unaware of the risk dog guides and their owners encounter each day. There is no way for a person who is blind and depends on a dog guide to know that a dangerous dog who has been chained to a light pole along a sidewalk might attack a dog guide as it passes. Nor to protect a guide dog from dangerous dogs who are unleashed.

Existing laws must be consistently enforced for the fair and safe treatment of people who are blind and their dog guides.

An attack by an unrestrained dog should be a criminal offense, charged to its owner.

You can send an email directly to New York Senator Charles J. Fuschillo Jr. by clicking here to his website page.

Please send an email directly to New York Assembly Member Philip M. Boyle -- You can copy and paste the following and modify as you see appropriate:

      An attack by an unrestrained dog on a guide dog should be a criminal offense - charged to the attacking dog's owner.

     We need this law -- We need to strengthen state legislation to provide greater protection for people and their dog guides against attacks by other dogs.

     PLEASE give your full support to such a legislative initiative.

     Thank you.