Pond Scum

There are very few things on this planet that annoy me more than people who will do something that they know is against the law and that they know will hurt or disadvantage other people, simply because they feel like they're entitled to do as they please.

You know who those folks are. They're the ones parking in the handicapped spot in front of the store because "they are in a rush" or "there are no other spots near the door".

Now, you might wonder why I am talking about these types of scum on my dog blog. Simple: there are many of them who think it's quite alright to pass their untrained pet dog off as a service dog so they can bring them along to stores, restaurants, and hotels that don't ordinarily allow pets. Not surprisingly, I've seen a number of posts on Dogster Answers, Yahoo Answers, and various other places where people actually recommended doing this in response to questions about dog friendly hotels or travel destinations. (I have written about that previously, here.)

It wasn't until this past Sunday, however, that I actually met this form of pond scum in person. And it was not a pleasant encounter.

Trueman and I had loaded Abby up in the car that morning and headed out to Colonial Williamsburg for a day trip. Williamsburg is only about twenty minutes from home for us, and it's a fun place to visit and walk around. Most areas are open admission, though some of the buildings require a ticket or pass to enter - usually the ones offering a guided tour. Since neither of us have been to Williamsburg in some time, our first stop was the Visitor's Center to grab a map of the area. While Abby waited in the back of the SUV (safely tethered by her seatbelt harness and with both back windows open), we headed inside to grab a map and see the gift shop.

As we were on our way back to the parking lot a couple of minutes later, we spotted a couple with two large Golden Retrievers - or maybe they were Golden Retriever and Great Pyrenees Mixes, since they were rather large - and Trueman went to ask whether he could pet them. The couple was more than happy to introduce their dogs to us and stop to talk.

In the course of that conversation, I happened to mention that we were about to get our dog from the car, since she's had to stay there while we went inside for a map because dogs are not allowed inside the Visitor's Center. At this point, the "gentleman" told me that he knew "a great trick" for bringing your dog places where dogs are not usually allowed: "You just tell them that your dog is a service dog or a therapy dog, and you can take them right on in."

My jaw about dropped to the floor.

Once I'd gathered it up and managed to regain some feeling in my tongue, I pointed out to this "gentleman" that, first of all, therapy dogs are not considered service dogs under Virginia State Law and do not have public access rights. I explained to him that my trained, working therapy dog is only allowed in public places while she is performing her duties, and then only on specific times and days. ("But most places don't know therapy dogs aren't service dogs," the man offered as a justification.)

I also explained to him that Virginia state law did not look kindly on people impersonating having a service dog and that it was actually a misdemeanor, punishable either with a hefty fine or even a jail term. Most states actually have that law on the books.

Of course, I said, it's not just the fact that it's illegal, it's the fact that it makes life difficult for people who are actually disabled and who rely on their service dogs to live independent lives. People who are being questioned and are getting comments from the public and store owners all the time regarding their dogs and their "status" as a disabled person, and whose life is not being made any easier by the morons who slap a vest on their dog so Fido can go to the restaurant with them. Whose Fido may well pee in the middle of the floor, harrass the staff, or growl at passers-by.

The couple seemed understanding and we parted ways.

As Trueman and I walked around the Visitor's Center with Abby to get to the ramp for the bridge, which is the only way to access to bridge without going through the Visitor's Center, what do we see? Yup - Pond Scum 1 and Pond Scum 2 with their two Goldens, waltzing right into the Visitor's Center. Right past the sign that says clearly, "Service Animals Only - Thank you!" I guess what I just told them went straight in one ear and straight out the other. I was fuming.

We actually saw them later on in front of a local restaurant where they were standing and talking to two people. Both of their dogs were wearing Colonial Williamsburg access badges on the bandanas around their necks. The people waved at us and let their dogs approach Abby to "meet", at which point Trueman told her to heel, informed them that "she doesn't play well with other dogs" and we continued straight past them.



I wish I had gotten a photo of these people so that I could post it here and, hopefully, it would reach as many people as possible to make sure these idiots are recognized when they try and pass their untrained dogs off as "service dogs" next time. Because, even if they're not setting out to do anything negative, they are making life more difficult for real disabled people with real service dogs and that's just not right.

If you see these people, question them!

These people are a couple in their mid- to late forties, maybe older than that. She is an averagely-built woman with blond hair, about 5'5" tall, and he is an averagely-built male with graying dark brown hair and a goatee, about 5'10" tall. Their dogs are very over-sized and over-weight Golden Retrievers. One is a light cream color, the other a more traditional Golden color. The dogs wear blue and red bandanas around their necks, respectively, along with prong collars that are fitted and sized incorrectly. The lighter colored dog has problems breathing due to, according to the owner, allergies.



Incidentally, I have been able to take Abby into many places dogs are not ordinarily seen. Want to know how I "get away" with it? I stick my head in and ask nicely if my German Shepherd may accompany me inside. If they say yes, I bring her in and thank them for letting me bring her. If they say no, I tether her outside the store and ask her to down-stay or sit-stay for me until I return. It's not rocket science, and it's legal. Even in Colonial Williamsburg, most store owners were more than happy to allow her inside.