As of fall, 2018 it is illegal to pass off a pet as a “service animal”; violators will be fined $250 PER OCCURRENCE.  House Bill 2588

The new Arizona law “A PERSON MAY NOT FRAUDULENTLY MISREPRESENT AN ANIMAL AS A SERVICE ANIMAL OR SERVICE ANIMAL IN TRAINING TO A PERSON OR ENTITY THAT OPERATES A PUBLIC PLACE. A COURT OR DULY APPOINTED HEARING OFFICER MAY IMPOSE ON THE PERSON MISREPRESENTING THE ANIMAL IN VIOLATION OF THIS SUBSECTION A CIVIL PENALTY OF NOT MORE THAN TWO HUNDRED FIFTY DOLLARS FOR EACH VIOLATION.”

Business owners already have the right to ask someone to leave if his or her pet is causing a disruption and are permitted to ask for the purpose of the animal under the Americans with Disabilities Act.

In my opinion this situation has become an epidemic.  You cannot go into a store, movie house or restaurant without seeing someone carting around a little dog with a “service dog” vest.  Really – who are they kidding??

Do you really want to use a grocery cart that previously held a pet which could now be laced with fleas, feces or urine.

Do you really want that junk on the food in your grocery cart?  How about those who are allergic to animals?  They have no idea that the grocery cart handles are ripe with pet leftovers and don’t understand why they are going into a sneezing fit or, worse anaphylactic shock from a serious allergy to pet dander?

Don’t get me wrong – I have no problem with real service dogs.

They are responsible for helping our most vulnerable.  My family and friends will tell you that I LOVE animals.  Animals have been part of my life for as long as I can remember.  But, I don’t want animals in the grocery store, certainly not in my grocery cart, nor in a restaurant where I am eating and not in a movie.  Please leave your pets at home where they are comfortable and safe.

330 words|1.7 min read|Categories: Diane's musings, General Legal Issues|By |Published On: April 21st, 2018|Last Updated: August 2nd, 2020|

Share this article

Diane is a well respected Arizona bankruptcy and foreclosure attorney. As a retired law professor, she believes in offering everyone, not just her clients, advice about bankruptcy and Arizona foreclosure laws. Diane is also a mentor to hundreds of Arizona attorneys.

*Important Note from Diane: Everything on this web site is offered for educational purposes only and not intended to provide legal advice, nor create an attorney client relationship between you, me, or the author of any article. Information in this web site should not be used as a substitute for competent legal advice from an attorney familiar with your personal circumstances and licensed to practice law in your state. Make sure to check out their reviews.*

Law Office of D.L. Drain, P.A., Arizona Bankruptcy Lawyer - Google Reviews
Law Office of D.L. Drain, P.A., Arizona Bankruptcy Lawyer - Yelp Reviews
Law Office of D.L. Drain, P.A., Arizona Bankruptcy Lawyer - Avvo Reviews
Avvo - Rate your Lawyer. Get Free Legal Advice.
Law Office of D.L. Drain, P.A., Arizona Bankruptcy Lawyer - Martindale-Hubbell Award
Law Office of D.L. Drain, P.A., Arizona Bankruptcy Lawyer - Alignable Reviews
Law Office of D.L. Drain, P.A., Arizona Bankruptcy Lawyer - Better Business Bureau
Law Office of D.L. Drain, P.A., Arizona Bankruptcy Lawyer - Google Reviews
Law Office of D.L. Drain, P.A., Arizona Bankruptcy Lawyer - Yelp Reviews
Law Office of D.L. Drain, P.A., Arizona Bankruptcy Lawyer - Avvo Reviews
Avvo - Rate your Lawyer. Get Free Legal Advice.
Law Office of D.L. Drain, P.A., Arizona Bankruptcy Lawyer - Martindale-Hubbell Award
Law Office of D.L. Drain, P.A., Arizona Bankruptcy Lawyer - Alignable Reviews
Law Office of D.L. Drain, P.A., Arizona Bankruptcy Lawyer - Better Business Bureau

In Case You Missed It