"Not those sort of dogs"

[SerendipityJane]

Seems the UKs lovefest with dogs only goes so far

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c87x2p535wqo

I was initially refused the right to stay in a hotel earlier this year because they were "looking after the welfare of my dog" (that is literally what they said) because their hotel isn't "suitable" for dogs. This was despite being entirely upfront and telling them I was arriving with a service dog. It took nearly a week of emails backwards and forwards before they complied with the law (I'd have gone somewhere else if there had been anywhere else, but this was a specific location without any other suitable accommodation). Believe it or not they also told me that if I hadn't bothered to tell them - I am under no obligation to do so - I could have just turned up and nobody would have turned me away! So they only turn away service dogs they know are coming?....I told them that the welfare of my service dog was my concern and not theirs.

Service dogs, emotional support dogs are not disability aids. Very few are well trained.

You might want to re-think that statement.

https://www.supportdogs.org.uk/

Reading this thread is so sad 😞

Personally I can't stand dogs, but guide/service dogs are trained working animals and are rightly absolutely permitted everywhere their owners are.

Guide horses too (who are amazing).

I'm sure I've read before of a procedure for bus/taxi drivers to arrange alternative transport if they are registered as having a dog allergy? (Which seems sensible... a driver having an allergic reaction is t he last thing a disabled person needs)

I regularly see a guide dog put with its owner while I'm doing grocery shopping... they ate obviously well trained.

I think the unfortunate truth is though that it may be time for an official ID for assistance dogs.. but there will need to be a procedure for registering them first and confirming their training.

We could argue all day long about 'emotional support dogs' but they are really beside the point in this case. A Guide Dog is very obvious - it can't be mistaken for an emotional support dog, with its distinctive harness and hi-vis coat, and its forward action in guiding its handler, rather than walking to heel. There can be no excuse for refusing entry to a Guide Dog.