Man With Service Snake Lobbies Against Bill

A Washington State bill that would narrow the definition of what a service animal is has an Olympia man hissing mad. The new bill seeks to limit the species that could be considered service animals to only dogs and miniature horses. Daniel Green uses a snake. He says he's taught the snake to hug him when it feels an epileptic seizure coming on. From the article: "At a Senate Labor committee hearing, Green said the new law would preclude him from going to many places. Green kept his snake in a bag during the hearing, but did take it out outside the building. Restaurants and other retailers have backed the measure, saying that allowing any animal to be considered a service animal creates health hazards and other problems to their customers."

Comments

I heard of another one

[GameboyRMH]

I heard of a bottling plant in South America that used a snake for pest control. They kept it in a heated box on the factory floor, and shut off the heat after hours, then it would go out and hunt rodents. The heat would come back on before work started and the snake would know to go back into its box to bask in the heat.

Of course I only heard it from a guy who toured the plant and could have been making it all up ;-P

"We reserve the right to refuse service to anyone"

[Anonymous Coward]

As someone highly allergic to various fuzzy animals, I don't see why this needs legislation at all. Feel free to train any kind of "service animal" you like, but I don't see why a business owner should have any requirement to accommodate it when it might pose a hazard to employees or other patrons (in the sole judgment of the business owner), any more than they should have any requirement to let them into a private home. If you don't like it, shop elsewhere. This has nothing to do with accommodating those with disabilities; you're welcome, but your animal isn't. Why should a business (be forced to) accommodate your particular condition by allowing an animal in, while ignoring my condition that requires me to steer far clear of your animal lest I end up in the hospital?

Allergies.

[PsyciatricHelp]

The type of animal should not matter. People are quoting they cause problems to customers. I am not allergic to snakes. I am allergic to dogs and horses among other things. You can't please everyone and each individual has different needs. Match them with what works.

Re:"We reserve the right to refuse service to anyo

[SleazyRidr]

Maybe you need a service snake, that can eat other people's service animals so they don't mess with you.

I want a service badger.

What health hazards?

[bradley13]

In most part of the world, animals are welcome in public places, including restaurants. It is quite common to see a dog snoozing quietly under the table, while the owner eats lunch. What is it the USA has against animals? Why restrict animals in public places to service animals - are people afraid they will get "dog poisoning"?

Just more needless government regulation by politicians who have already solved all of the serious problems...

Re:What health hazards?

[Anonymous Coward]

Because most dog owners in the US don't bother to train their dogs. The dogs wouldn't be quietly sleeping under the table. They would be barking their heads off and jumping on other customers.

Part of the reason there is an exception for service animals is that they are trained by professionals before they even meet their owner.

If you don't want to train your animal, get a cat. Dogs take WORK. If you're not going to do it, don't get a dog.

Re:What health hazards?

[overkill1024]

I am under the impression that the policy was up to the establishment, but they must make exceptions for service animals, which is fair on both counts.

For one reason or another it has just become custom to flex that right and restrict animals from most places. As long as this doesn't dissuade patrons of any particular establishment it just means fewer potential issues for the owner, so really it has less to do with people's concerns and more to do with convenience for the business.

Re:What health hazards?

[Anonymous Coward]

What is it the USA has against animals?

The US is populated with malcontent assholes that fail to train and control their children, much less their animals. Without rules to prevent it some ass will bring their pit bulls and some child will end up mutilated. The owner will then sue the restaurant owner and the parents of the child, and win.

Elsewhere people know better than to breed pit bulls. As such, the concept of bringing such a monster to a public place is precluded.

Re:"We reserve the right to refuse service to anyo

[afterthought]

"Obligatory" - Badger....You don't need no sticking badger...

"We reserve the right to refuse service to blacks"

[tepples]

If you don't like it, shop elsewhere.

"No colored people. If you don't like it, shop elsewhere." This obviously violates racial discrimination laws in the most of the developed world, as I understand it. Many countries ban privately owned business that serve the public from discriminating against customers not only on racial grounds but on disability grounds. In this case, I don't see how such a business would get away with banning a customer with a service snake under disability discrimination laws. The U.S. ADA appears to make no distinction between a dog and any "other animal individually trained to provide assistance to an individual with a disability".

Re:"We reserve the right to refuse service to blac

[Anonymous Coward]

You seem to have argued against my point by citing existing law, which doesn't actually counter my argument. I repeat: "Why should a business (be forced to) accommodate your particular condition by allowing an animal in, while ignoring my condition that requires me to steer far clear of your animal lest I end up in the hospital?"

Allergic to another customer's service animal

[tepples]

If you are allergic to another customer's service animal, contact management. The ADA FAQ that I linked states: "any service animal that displays vicious behavior towards other guests or customers may be excluded. [...] Each situation must be considered individually."