This story about a guy with a seizure alert dog in Madison, Wisconsin getting Tasered, pepper sprayed, and arrested when he refused to leave a McDonald’s has been getting a ton of publicity daily for some time now. You may already be familiar with it, but please read the latest:
“Madison man tussles with police over service dog”
I’ve written about this subject before (“How Do I Know If That’s Really a Service Dog?”) and, to me, this case is a classic example that the ADA is not working as currently written, things are messed up, and we need to do something different.
But forget what I think – let me just ask you…
No matter which side of this discussion you fall on or what your opinions are, does anybody out there really think that the ADA is actually working when it comes to service dogs, that things are OK like they are, and we don’t need to do anything different?
Please let me know your thoughts in the comments, especially if you are someone currently paired with a service dog.
I'm very active with Canine Companions for Independence as a volunteer, to include being a past member of the Veterans Task Force and puppy raiser. Retired US Air Force Chief Master Sergeant with my last assignments at the Air Force Academy as the Fourth Group Sergeant Major and Dean of Faculty Superintendent.
Jun 13, 2009 @ 22:38:19
Al, I had not heard about this situation, and I think it speaks to how poorly the general population is lacking education about people with disabilities.
So many people, including my son, depend on their faithful companions. The discrimination that accompanies this relationship is a crime in itself. Many years ago, Bryan was turned away from a motel in Virginia because he had his service dog, Karen II. The manager had the nerve to tell me that “if I could convince her that the dog was a human, well then she would provide us with a room.”
While I could have called the police, I preferred to move onto another motel to give my money to. I had promised myself, and Bryan that I would report the incident to my senator after returning home, but it is one that I didn’t get around to reporting. Despite the lack of report to my elected official, it is one that my family continues to share as an absolute lesson for people.
Please keep us updated on this gentleman’s situation. We care.
Aug 11, 2009 @ 20:54:23
It’s not working completely. Many people are unaware of the laws. I’ve been harassed at a diner and at a public beach with my wonderful service dog Tabby.