Bus driver condoned taking a pet dog into a bus and just "saying" that it was a service dog?

It's against federal law for a business to ask for "proof" that a dog is a service dog, or to ask what kind of disability the person has to require a service dog. The dog isn't even required by law to wear a vest or anything else identifying it as a service dog. There is no "standard" certification or training process- though there are organizations that offer testing & certification to show the dog is indeed adequately trained, it is not required.

However, business owners CAN ask a person to leave, if his "service dog" behaves in an unruly, disturbing or otherwise inappropriate manner....which prevents the VAST majority of pets from being able to "pass" for a service dog. Few people are willing to put in the training required to make a service dog suitable for "public access"....they might pull it off in some simple situations (like a dog on the bus) but it takes YEARS to have a service dog consistently "solid" to go anywhere & do anything.

And a dog sitting on the couch at Starbucks? NOT acceptable behavior from a service dog; the manager would have been within his rights if he asked the man to leave, or at least require him to put the dog on the floor. Unfortunately it seems businesses are too afraid to "offend" anyone that they fail to exercise THEIR rights & confront anyone whose animal is not behaving properly in public. Badly behaved service dogs- whether fake or real- only make matters worse for those people with legitimate, well-trained service dogs.

Furthermore, that bus driver was actually encouraging you to break the LAW. Laws vary by state but can include fines & jail time. I think that could have gotten him in more trouble than if he knowingly allowed a "pet" onto his bus....which might have gotten him fired, but not arrested.

It sounds like you did the right thing & didn't bring the dog on the bus with you...and if so, thank you for having the decency to be honest :)

As pointed out all any business can do is ask if the animal is a service dog and what service it provides that's it. No vest or proof of documentation is needed. IMO if you actually had to carry some form of paperwork and something that couldn't just be printed out on any home printer, a lot of the con artists would be SOL.

And yes far too many businesses don't stand up for their own rights. If its not asking for the removal of problem animals its turning a blind eye to people working the system - ie bringing in an unruly ESA

I don't think its a common stereotype, but I am sure a few people jump to that conclusion. If the bus driver allowed it AND it was also found out he encouraged the person to lie, I am pretty sure that at least he could lose his job if not face other punishment.

This same thing happened to me the other day at Starbucks. Dude walks in with his dog, and sits on the couch!

I brought it to the attention of the Manager, and I didn't hear what was said, but he asked the man to take the dog out, and he never left, so I assume he just said he was a "Service Dog."

Unfortunately, that term is getting thrown around a lot lately. It's lost its meaning, people think they can just bring their dog anywhere these days, and take advantage of true service dogs.

Busses are County operated, so it's possible the bus driver would be reprimanded by the County if someone makes a complaint.

I went onto Walmart w/mine & was asked to leave. They said dogs are not allowed in the store because of the food even though I was on the other side of the store. 3 people made sure I left. I was NEVER even asked if she was a service dog. I think this was rude of them. They pretty much kicked me out. My family didn't shop at Walmart for 2 years.

Anyone who makes a fuss about a dog on the couch with never hang out with me, service dog or not. I see dogs as equals, superior to some humans in fact

there's no "papers" or any kind of "proof" that a person is required to present to proove that a dog is a service dog.

ALL a buisiness is allowed to ask is "is this a service dog?".. you cannot be asked about your disability, you cannot be asked to show proof. However if the dog is a nuisance or presents a potential hazard, the owner/handler can be asked to leave.

No American with Disabilities Act trumps religious rules. You can't handle that, get a job that doesn't require a license. I'm sure Ron Paul thinks the blind guy should be kicked off the bus.

ALOT less trouble than he'd get in for hassling a disabled person to provide proof that their dog was a service dog.

and here you are getting offended because he 'stereotyped' your dog?

geez .. sometimes you just can't win.

My friend works at a local Wal Mart and told me that there is a couple that come in all of the time with their "adorable little dog!" I said "Is it a service dog?" to which she replied, "I don't know." I asked if anyone had asked to see papers or even asked at all if it was even a service dog and she said "No... It has to be a service dog to come in." And I'm thinking... Well, duh. But who knows unless you check papers?! So, even people who aren't disabled "fake it." I'm sure if I were in a wheelchair or something, I could easily get away with it. And I'm sure people do it all of the time.

But he could probably get in a lot of trouble...

it is illegal for the owners of stores or even buses to demand registration for the service dog, or even simply ask.

its also illegal to ask what kind of service dog.

if a service dog is wearing a vest, they pretty much have to take the persons word for it