There's a new bill in the Florida legislature that, if passed, would impose harsh penalties on people with fake service animals.
This bill is aimed to target people who print false paperwork off the internet and claim that their pet is an "emotional support animal," even though it has no training, and doesn't perform any service functions. This bill does NOT apply to disabled people with an actual, trained, registered service animal. Registered service animals have the right to go anywhere with their owners, as they perform important--and often lifesaving--functions. I'm not talking about the legit ones. I'm talking about the fakers.
People who falsely claim to need an emotional support animal could face jail time under a bill unanimously passed by the Senate Tuesday.
Landlords could ask people with emotional support animals whose disabilities are not apparent to document the need. Health care professionals who certify the need for the animals would have to have personal knowledge of the renter's disability. People wouldn't be able to simply download a certification of need from a website. People who falsely or fraudulently claim the need for an emotional support animal could face up to 60 days in jail and a $500 fine.
The bill has passed in the Florida Senate, and is awaiting a full Chamber vote.
I personally think this is a great thing. I LOVE animals, and I love that there are pet-friendly places all over Tampa Bay. But there are places where pets shouldn't be, especially if those pets aren't trained to behave in public. Plus, many people are allergic to animals, and should have a reasonable expectation that there wouldn't be an animal in a doctor's office or indoor restaurant, for example. Feel free to share your thoughts on Facebook..just please don't accuse me of not understanding what a service animal is, because no one is trying to ban service animals. hank you for coming to my Ted Talk.