Assistance Dog Query

[WifeofJamieFraser]

Can anyone please point me in the direction of any legislation on owner trained assistance dogs in training please? The “assistance dog” has been a pet for the last 8 years, however the owner is insisting on putting a harness on with “in training” on the dog and insisting it’s her assistance dog to gain entry to various places. The dog wanders around when on the floor urinating on shelves and barking at other customers when not being carried.

I’ve read up on what’s required of assistance dogs and this dog doesn’t make any of of the criteria under the Equal Opportunities Act however she is insisting I need to allow this dog onto my premises (we have a shop). We don’t allow dogs in except assistance dogs (who normally wear a little tabard type thing) and are normally deaf/blind dogs. I do fully appreciate there are many types of assistance dogs and we do welcome all of them who are genuine assistance dogs.

If anyone has any links or advice I’d really appreciate it.

How is it that you know the exact circumstances of the customer and her assistance animal, and what criteria are you judging this against?

There is no legal or final register for assistance dogs in the UK, regardless of whether they were trained by a registered body or charity. Assistance dog owners don't have to provide any identification or 'proof' if asked; indeed there isn't anything they can show that would demonstrate it anyway in a way that is 'legal proof;. Organisations such as Assistance Dogs UK (which is one of 7 organisations doing as such) train and verify dogs and can provide members with identification booklets to show in these situations but as before, nobody is obliged to show this, and of course people train legitimate assistance dogs outside of the organisation which is equally valid. The 'little tabard things' can be bought online quite easily by anyone. I would suggest contacting one of the organisations for further guidance if you are unsure.

An existing pet can be trained as an assistance dog, albeit admittedly this dog sounds unsuitable if it is barking at other customers. People have needs that are not immediately visible and I would be cautious of suggesting you know for a fact she is not training the dog to meet an assistance need. There are many other disabilities or disabling conditions that are not deafness or blindness.

Personally I would go down the route of discussing with her politely that she have the dog toileted before entering the premises, and that she will be required to keep it under proper control and compensate for damage. I do not think you can refuse entry because you've decided it isn't legitimate ( rightly or wrongly, however you see it)

www.equalityhumanrights.com/en/publication-download/assistance-dogs-guide-all-businesses

content.tfl.gov.uk/new-dogs-assistance-leaflet.pdf

www.assistancedogs.org.uk/faqs/