Service Animal

My Opinion of the Oregonian News, Metro Section Oct 29, 2008

My opinion of Oregonian News, Metro Section, Oct 29

Let me start off with whether or not the paper has the correct information.  In the referenced paper, one article “Just What Is A Service Dog” states the little pommerian was bleeding to death on the woman’s lap, the other article “Dog Owner Sorry” states the dog was on the a leash at the woman’s feet.  Just where was the dog anyway. And with this conflict, what else is not accurately posted?

This next one references the article “Dog Owner Sorry”. The paragraph where Ms LaPoint states that “drivers are required to ask anyone who enters a bus or train with an animal whether it is a service dog, but they cant ask what kind  of service animal it is”.  Hmmm, first off, drivers are told they can ask (not required to ask) if the animal is a service animal, but basically are told don’t ask.  I asked several other operators who all said they were told not to ask, its against ADA.  Even two supervisors I asked said we are NOT required to ask.  

Next if a anyone enters the bus or train with a animal, were suppost to ask if it is a service DOG?  We are going to look pretty stupid with a person who has a cat (or other animal) asking if it is a service dog. Who proof read these articles anyway???? 

TriMet needs to have some guidelines and rules to prevent this sort of activity from happening again.  Some options which are relatively inexpensive are (see samples above):

The customer carries a card showing the picture of the animal stating they are a service animal when boarding;

Put on their Honored Citizen card a “S” for service animal in a color different from the “A” for attendant;

The animal has a tag showing it as a service animal.