New Yorkers use bogus 'therapy dog' tags to take Fido everywhere
Phony “service dog” tags have become common among city pooch owners, who use them for everything from taking Fido bar-hopping to pick up chicks to getting discounts on the Hamptons Jitney. Dog owners can easily snap up bogus tags, vests, patches and certificates on the Internet, circumventing the city Health Department and undermining federal regulations designed to aid the disabled.
“I was sick of tying up my dog outside,” said Brett David, 33, a restaurateur whose tiny pooch, Napoleon, wore an unofficial “therapy dog” patch during a visit to Whole Foods on Houston Street (pictured). “Sometimes, they’ll give me a hassle and say bring the papers next time, but for five bucks, you order [a patch] off eBay, and it works 90 percent of the time,” he told The Post.
The Health Department issues legitimate service-dog tags but doesn’t regulate them. To obtain a legitimate tag, an applicant only needs to present a letter from a dog trainer saying the dog can perform certain useful tasks. Proof of a disability isn’t required.
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Vlasovskaya isn’t worried about getting called out, noting it’s a hassle to verify the certificate. “You’d have to go through all of these links or get someone on the line,” she said. “With all of that effort, they will probably just let you in.”
http://www.nypost.com/p/news/local/stupid_dog_trick_1nMC3NBq6sPfyzlpXdiDkN
= new reply since forum marked as read
Far more people are allergic to soaps and perfumes and smog and plants than animals and they seem to somehow manage to go out everyday (me).
I've never gotten to pick up packages of meat or handle produce in a restaurant.
If you are talking about a grocery store, how do you know if I have just pet my dog, then come in and handle produce, picking up packages? Working with and having friends who are autoimmuned, I know they have to be careful which included proper handwashing no matter whether or not they've come into contact with a pet.
Yes, pets can and do carry things that can be bad, but so do people.
And please, hold the "my dear" condescension as it doesn't help anything.
... heathens.
It's not like putting a goldfish in a ziplock. 
go.
This is an old issue in NYC and years ago the City started issuing tags for actual service dogs because so many people were abusing the laws. The issue is especially acute in housing because landlords can demand that dogs not on the lease be banned.
Only a person with an ADA condition is allowed to bring a service dog into food service establishments and other places where dogs would be denied entry.
I love my dogs and I take them to some places which permit dogs but I am always mindful that there are people who may be afraid of dogs, allergic to dogs, or religiously forbidden to touch dogs. I love my dogs but I don't expect everyone else to.
They love going to the Post Office.
Many people who are physically disabled have been given some of their freedom and independence back by well trained service dogs. Paraplegic and quadraplegic people have a right to the fullest life they are capable of and a true service (or "assistance" dog can be key to that.
At ADI they train dogs to perform over 90 verbal commands and 120 hand signals. For those without the use of their own legs and/ or arms or eyes, service dogs are certainly not a scam
Here is a sample of what they do for those who benefit from them:
Please don't let those who abuse the law form the basis of your opinion on this matter.
... with the faux handicap tag so I can get a better parking spot than you?
What, me Jackass?
The difference over there is that people are held accountable for their pet's behavior. Very accountable. Also, McDonald's serves beer. 
Yes you are right in that people do take care of their animals and are responsible owners.
Loved Germany and would love to live there but my tongue will never be able to speak German.
We've been occupying them for over 60 years now. 
like the ones who use Grandma's car (with the handicap sticker/plate/placard) so THEY can park right in front..
Oh baby you look so good.
Yeah right.
Some people out there have not a clue as to what it is to have a bonafide disability that is not visible *yet*. Hopefully, it will never be visible is what I say.
Just because you aren't in a wheelchair drooling all over yourself doesn't mean that you don't have the need for a service dog.
This I know already. Been trying to obtain one for almost 10 years now with no luck it sight. 
So much for having an "ADA disability". It sucks and I have yet to find one advantage out there to having a bonafide ADA disability.
My heart goes out to him and his furry little fashion accessory.
I never realized until now how the cruel hard ships and cold-hearted life in the Big Apple could be. 
dogs. My wife and I occasionally take Dude to one of those. He sits patiently next to one of the chairs we are sitting in, and gladly accepts pats on the head by children and adults who want to bestow them.
I wouldn't take the dog inside of any business establishment, though, unless there was a sign saying "Pets Welcome." And we never take the dog into any of those chain pet stores any longer. We've had too many instances of some strange dog there trying to pick a fight.
On the other hand, if I do see a dog accompanying someone in a business, I simply assume that it is a therapy dog of some kind and just let it be. I can't see the point of ever questioning anyone about something like that.
Problem solved.