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CINDY ELLEN RUSSELL / CRUSSELL@STARADVERTISER.COM
Umi is a bonafide service dog for Patrick Hamlow who lost both his legs due to complications with a staph infection. Umi is pictured pushing a handicap button for a door for Hamlow. A new law will fine owners posing their animals as service dogs $100 to $250. The bill goes into effect on January 1, 2019,
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So now we have a law that prohibits fake service dogs. Why make a law that is unenforceable?
Nothing will change. People will continue to bring their fake service dogs everywhere with no consequences (fines). Businesses will continue to allow these dogs in for fear of being sued.
How about requiring people to apply for official service dog jackets (like applying for placards for special parking spaces)? It could be red with large registered numbers that are highly visible and easy for businesses to verify. There needs to be an agency or place where violators are reported, then fined.
Fake service dogs are a health issue as well as a safety issue and must be stopped.
Clark Himeda
Kahala
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