This week’s emotional support animal news report brings you one big story. Oklahoma legislators are now considering cracking down on fake assistance animals. Both service dog and ESA owners should prepare for what might come. Keep reading to get caught up.
Oklahoma Considering Anti-Fraud Bill
Oklahoma is the latest state considering a bill to curb the spread of fake assistance animals. After many businesses complained of unruly phony service dogs, state senators are taking action. Introduced by Senator David Bullard, Senate Bill 1223 could make a splash.
Passing off a pet as an assistance animal is a crime in many states, but not in Oklahoma—for now. Some pet owners have exploited weaknesses in the law. Since there are no official IDs or certificates issued for service dogs, it can be all too easy to misrepresent them.
What this bill proposes is punishing people caught doing this. Anyone who pretends to have a disability or a dog trained to perform specific tasks can be charged with a misdemeanor. If convicted, they may pay a $500 fine. Businesses would also be allowed to post signs reminding customers that portraying a pet as a service animal is a crime.
The Oklahoma State Senate gave this bill the green light. Now, it’s moving on to the House of Representatives.
Source: oksenate.gov
What Does This Mean for Emotional Support Animals?
Emotional support owners know better than anyone that ESAs are service animals are very different. Although both improve the lives of people with disabilities, ESAs don’t have to be trained to perform specific tasks for their owners.
ESAs are also not pets—after all, they’re prescribed by licensed mental health professionals. Thus, ESAs and their owners have some rights that pet owners and their furry friends don’t. For example, ESAs can live with their owners in rented units (even in those with a no-pets policy) without paying a pet deposit.
It’s important to remember that, unlike service dogs, ESAs can only go into pet-friendly businesses. Passing them off as service animals is a no-no. And if this bill passes in Oklahoma, ESA owners could also be charged with a misdemeanor.
CertaPet’s Thoughts on This Week’s News
Unfortunately, some pet owners do regularly pass off their furry companions as service animals. Since many businesses don’t allow pets inside, this is a sad workaround some come up with. However, this ends up harming people with disabilities who have a real need for an assistance animal. Bills such as this one could help stop this misrepresentation—and help ESA and service dog owners in the end.
If you’re living with symptoms of a mental illness, getting an emotional support animal could be a great move. These loyal companions can help you cope and live a happier, fuller life. To get started, take our 5-minute pre-screening test for free. We’ll connect you with a licensed mental health professional. They’ll meet with you and then, if you qualify, you’ll get your ESA letter in no time.