HONOLULU — A bill that targets fake service dogs has become law without Gov. David Ige’s signature.
The bill was neither signed nor vetoed by Ige when it landed on his desk this week, The Honolulu Star-Advertiser reported .
That means that starting Jan. 1, handlers of fake service dogs will be fined between $100 and $500.
People can pass their dogs as service animals by going online and ordering a service dog certificate, vest or ID badge with little to no proof of authenticity.
There is no official U.S. registry for service dogs, and service animals are not required to wear special vests, collars or harnesses.
Those factors make the law difficult to enforce.
Another challenge for the law is the limited questions one may ask under the Americans With Disabilities Act, Ige said Thursday.
“None of the county police departments submitted testimony,” said Ige. “However, it appears they would be the primary agencies responsible for enforcement.”
Sen. Russell Ruderman, who introduced the bill, believes the law is still important since there have been cases of fake service animals attacking people and legitimate service animals.
At least 15 other states have similar laws on fake service dogs.
Jim Kennedy, executive director of Hawaii Fi-Do Service Dogs, is optimistic that the law can make a difference.
“It is important to understand and respect what the Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA) intended when it allowed legitimate service dogs to assist those with real disabilities,” he said.
Hawaii Fi-Do hopes to help by providing education on functions of real service dogs.
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Information from: Honolulu Star-Advertiser, http://www.staradvertiser.com
I wish owners would be fined for allowing their dogs to bark all night! and letting them make dodo in their neighbors yard.
Its about time some law that addresses this problem of fake service dogs. I know of several cases at the veterans housing in Barbers Point where females use such tactics to get their pet dog or cat in places it does not belong. Pets are not allowed in this housing complex, but they get to circumvent the rules by purchasing these fake collars.
I know of some veterans who would like to kick these animals and their owners for they howl and mee yow all night long, disrupting their sleep, but management does not want to enforce such rules. ne day a veteran may get some flashback and solve the problem he knows best, if you know what I mean.
good for Kauai! I recently went through security check to board a plane…man, very physically fit was trying to get his very large, very angry pit bull with service vest AND a shock collar through the x-ray which shocked the dog (sparks were flying from his shock collar and the owner could barely contain the animal.)
I don’t think he made it on a place with this animal…but not sure!