Having a mobility service canine, we often are approached by aggressive dogs, including so-called service dogs, in hospitals, care homes, stores and airports.

Restaurants are a safe haven, where non-service canines are not permitted. We don’t have to constantly scan for loose, aggressive dogs.

I concur with your editorial (“Keep dogs out of restaurants,” Star-Advertiser, Our View, Jan. 9) and the letter by Ben Gale (“Dogs don’t belong in restaurants,” Star-Advertiser, Letters, Jan. 9).

In public, my dog becomes “invisible,” lying under the table until it is time to leave. In airplanes, once situated, the dog barely moves.

My service canine is trained, exercised and groomed daily and is held to higher standards of hygiene and discipline.

Emotional support and medic alert animals, as well as counterfeit service dogs and family pets, aren’t required to undertake obedience training.

Who will enforce a law requiring pets to be obedient and groomed? Will it be a matter of time before privileges at restaurants for service canines are restricted due to allowing regular canines inside?

Leonard Chong

Kailua

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