Shopping With Animals At Wally World
And here I go screaming ONE MORE TIME about Wal-Fart and their ridiculous policy about letting every animal under the sun in the store as a "service animal."
I officially boycott them for several reasons, but the picture I found on People of Wal-Mart with the Kangaroo/Wallaby pretty much the last straw.
For those of you who are newer, I am disabled and train my own mobility service dogs. I recently had to retire my 3yo mix breed due to her not adjusting to big city life, and my adorable, little Labrador due to her only reaching 45lbs. Not nearly big enough to being a weight-bearing dog.
I am now in the process of training a Golden Retriever/German Shepherd(?) mix that is doing VERY well! I just got her 2 weeks ago and she is a very smart puppy. Service dogs need to be taken out and socialized and taught to obey in all sorts of various situations including shopping, restaurants, on the bus, etc., but I'll be DAMNED if I want to run into a SKUNK or a fucking kangaroo/wallaby! They are NOT, nor will they EVER be a SERVICE animal! Those are the ONLY animals that are supposed to be allowed in a store (other than a pet store) especially one that carries FOOD!
Service dogs are trained, vaccinated, and regularly bathed to make sure that they are as socially acceptable and as healthy as possible. Its bad enough we have people taking PETS into stores claiming their cute little purse rat is a service dog just because they can't stand to leave it at home and it isn't properly socialized, but when you start bringing the whole fucking ZOO to the store you open up yourself to all sorts of lawsuits. What happens if your purse rat attacks my service dog? Can you really pay the $20,000-$50,000 to replace the dog for loss of use? Its not just vet bills ASSHOLE.
--Humor Me
Well, let's be fair. I bet people would rather deal with the animals instead of the customers
But yikes. How does on get away with a skunk!? Even if the scent glands are removed, there is the whole idea of a skunk spraying someone ingrained in people's heads. It probably caused some people - customer and employee alike - some discomfort, to say the least
Posted by: Icalasari | Wednesday, December 08, 2010 at 03:22 PM
In New Zealand only service dogs wearing a special vest are allowed in stores, which would make claiming a 'purse rat' is a service dog very hard! Do they have anything like that in America?
Posted by: ProduceBitch | Wednesday, December 08, 2010 at 03:25 PM
If you click on the "ONE MORE TIME" in red, it takes you back to my last rant about the skunk and all of the information regarding American service dogs and the Americans with Disabilities Act that covers training them. It was quite a lengthy and sometimes heated discussion.
Posted by: Humor_Me | Wednesday, December 08, 2010 at 03:45 PM
Granted this wasn't a store, but at the local park which has a playground but is also a dog off-leash park people bring their pet CATS and RABBITS
Last time we were there someone brought their cat, it pooped in the playground and they didn't pick it up! Well -revenge is sweet- their little kid picked up the poop (because kids will do icky things) then came up to me. I'm more than happy to help people's kids in general -in this case I just said "Go tell your mom, she's RIGHT THERE"
Posted by: mystic_eye | Wednesday, December 08, 2010 at 03:59 PM
There's this lady that likes to come in with her dog. I think it's a chinese crested or something. It resembles Yosemite Sam and his facial hair. She carries it around in her bag and pampers it like a baby. Oy.
Posted by: wolfycat | Wednesday, December 08, 2010 at 04:24 PM
Service dogs ALWAYS wear a vest that indicates them as such. I had a lady try and claim that her fucking POMERANIAN was a service animal. Of course, I told her off.
Posted by: Gas Peddler | Wednesday, December 08, 2010 at 04:28 PM
To be fair though miniature horses may also be used as service animals but not freaking wild animals. Humans domesticated certain animals thousands of years back for a reason.
Posted by: KitchenPeon | Wednesday, December 08, 2010 at 04:40 PM
Humour_Me: Just finished reading it and the comments
I think I can safely say that if the WalMart here starts allowing things that can maim or kill me and are not service animals, I will start carrying a knife. A large one
Not going to let myself go to the hospital because of a self entitled idiot...
Just... Jeez, even domesticated animals snap at times (and I bet even the best service dog would give a nip or two if berated enough, although I'd imagine you'd deserve it if you pissed off a service animal that much). But skunks? Kangaroos? TIGERS!? Just...
If natural selection were a person, they would have hung themselves by now
Posted by: Icalasari | Wednesday, December 08, 2010 at 04:50 PM
I've heard of people in South America using alpacas?/vicunas?, whatever the smaller ones are, as service animals. They help people who can't walk well to get around. But I doubt they bring them into the market ...
Posted by: me | Wednesday, December 08, 2010 at 05:12 PM
Dogs of any breed CAN be a service dog, but if they are faking it, they had better be ready to pay the fines. If her Pom was a service dog, she would have called the police and pushed the issue. Those of us with service dogs know our rights.
Posted by: Humor_Me | Wednesday, December 08, 2010 at 05:19 PM
A lady brought her cat in and said the cat was a service animal. She ranted about how other stores wouldn't let her in because of her cat.
The problem was that the cat was on a little thin string used as a leash, and it started having diarrhea. In the middle of the store. I really didn't think the cat was a service animal.
Another time a lady came in with a real service animal. The dog may have just started his training and wasn't used to public areas. He was very very well behaved, but he was really nervous and sweating through his paws. I wanted to pet him, but he was working so that was a nono.
Posted by: Beauty Slave | Wednesday, December 08, 2010 at 05:47 PM
We had a custy come in a while back with a very small dog, possibly a Pomeranian.
She claimed it was a Service Dog, but we sent her out.
However, a man came in a few months back, obviously blind with a large Black Lab or something similar and a crusty made a huge shit about "OMG IM ALLURGIK."
I told her she could leave then =/
Posted by: Burger Bitch | Wednesday, December 08, 2010 at 05:50 PM
Pepe LePew at Wal-Mart? I guess he's fallen on hard times!
Posted by: Queer Geek | Wednesday, December 08, 2010 at 06:16 PM
At the grocery store I work at, there is this one woman who comes in from time to time (though I haven't seen her lately), with two small dogs, possibly terriers of some sort. She puts them IN A CART. The same cart that some poor person is going to then put their FOOD into. They're like dirty nasty little things too, and DEFINITELY not service dogs. I've told a manager, but they don't seem to care. We only have a giant "NO ANIMALS" sign on the door (obviously service dogs are allowed though), and I mean come on, it's a grocery store. I don't want your mangy mutt all over food I or someone else will eat. (Or is that why I haven't seen her lately I wonder?)
Posted by: Myst/xSacramentofLove | Wednesday, December 08, 2010 at 06:28 PM
What
The
fuck
I can safely say that's a wallaby, not a kangaroo. Kangaroos are obviously much bigger and way more stronger than a small wallaby and fuck they can bolt if they want, even wallabies. If that was in Australia, RSPCA and Wires would be on them like flies. Even then you still need a licence to even house injured wildlife that need to be released back into the wild once healthy. Doesn't America have a licence system to keep wildlife like Australia?
Posted by: Sadowzondai | Wednesday, December 08, 2010 at 07:02 PM
That is not okay. That is a walking health code violation. -.-
Posted by: Malmart Peon | Wednesday, December 08, 2010 at 07:24 PM
Yes, you do Sadowzondai. The USDA covers that, but I believe they only cover the housing and feeding of such animals. Its up to the stores whether or not they let the little buggers in where the food is. Since I'm not up on the potential hazards of diseases that a wallaby can spread, I have no idea what charges can be brought against a Wal-fuck for letting this kind of overgrown, boxing mouse in. I'll just never understand the mindset that says, "I think I'll go to Wal-Mart and take the wallaby with me! That will be so much fun!" People never think of the consequences of their actions.
Posted by: Humor_Me | Wednesday, December 08, 2010 at 07:32 PM
I wonder whether huskies would make good service dogs high energy but ours is trained to sled dog commands and pulls my mum on a scooter. Don't forget service monkeys they are perhaps my favorite service animal.
http://www.monkeyhelpers.org/
check out that site for info on service monkeys it's pretty damn cool.
Posted by: Skittles | Wednesday, December 08, 2010 at 08:06 PM
When I worked for HT (a grocery chain centered in NC but locations across the Southeast), there was a lady who came in with her pet bird. Another customer was throwing a fit about it being a health issue. I was 18-19 and naive at the time, and too be honest I didn't care about either of them at the time.
I'm still not really bothered by customers bringing their animals into the store, but if someone ever tries bringing a skunk in the store, I'll personally escort them out.
Posted by: franknbeans120 | Wednesday, December 08, 2010 at 08:21 PM
I do know of an example where a Chihuahua was a service dog. The owner had severe allergies to certain things that she couldn't avoid, and the dog could smell it before they were too close, and the allergies were triggered. I don't think the dog was ever certified for a service dog though...
But a skunk? Really? REALLY? Whilest they are adorable, since I know a friend who's mother-cat took in three orphaned skunk kits (they were de-scented when they were old enough) they're not service animals of any sort
Posted by: NumismaticNerd | Wednesday, December 08, 2010 at 08:42 PM
I am now in the process of training a Golden Retriever/German Shepherd(?) mix that is doing VERY well! I just got her 2 weeks ago and she is a very smart puppy. Service dogs need to be taken out and socialized and taught to obey in all sorts of various situations including shopping, restaurants
Posted by: handbags wholesale | Thursday, December 09, 2010 at 12:09 AM
Keep in mind, please, that there are odd animals used as service animals for people with emotional and mental disorders. Of course, people have "official" licenses and blah blah. But these animals often include creatures that are not dogs or horses--I read about a guy who had a bird as a service animal for his anxiety stress disorder. And yes, I have seen a rat used as a service animal, legitimately. This is how it is, now, folks. I don't know exactly how the animal kingdom is hierarchical, but as long as an animal is not dangerous to man or beast, it's ok with me.
Now, that doesn't mean I advocate people taking wild animals out of their homes and putting them to use. But some rescued animals are unable to "go back to the wild." And if a professional can turn a skunk into a service animal, I say You Go.
Posted by: Hellbound Alleee | Thursday, December 09, 2010 at 05:15 AM
I'm seconding Hellbound's comment - there are random pets that are trained to be service animals for psychological disorders. I know a woman who trains MiKi's (expensive little rat dogs) for that purpose. It's not unusual for it to be a small animal that can easily be brought around with them.
I knew a very little girl (about 4 or 5) with PTSD who needed one just to be able to travel in a car.
That being said, I also know a ton of entitled women who think they can claim Poopsie Woopsie is a service dog and not be bothered. That is inexcusable, but how can you ask without seeming insensitive? Not all disabilities are readily visible. The little girl I mentioned earlier couldn't talk about her problem without having an episode, so her dad spent a good amount of time trying to pull people aside and talk about it when them outside of her earshot, but he did have documentation that it was indeed a service dog.
I'm not sure how to draw a line from an outsider perspective. If people weren't trying to abuse bringing in their precious, ill trained pets, it'd make it a lot easier to differentiate the dogs that are actually working. In other words, people are entitled assholes who need to learn common decency and respect for others, but I don't think that'll happen.
Posted by: Colonixick | Thursday, December 09, 2010 at 06:11 AM
One day while on register, A lady came through my line with a ferret in her coat pocket. Cute thing...and yes, I did let her know that they weren't allowed but what could I do? She was checking out and leaving anyhow, so it would be stupid to call security or whatever. I had a man bring an iguana through my line too. Now, I cannot see why he'd have an iguana out in 20 degree weather, and I thought it was dangerous to the lizard to be inside his coat..but to each his own, and again, no one ALLOWED him in..I was the only worker to know it was there, and by the time I saw it, it was too late.
Back to the furry animal issue...if we see someone bringing one in, we can stop them and ask them to take it back outside..we cannot FORCE them to leave. Only the manager can demand to see "proof" of an animal being a service animal. If we spot a dog in the store, once the person is inside, we're supposed to let management know, but they usually won't do anything, other than walk up and inform the person that animals aren't allowed in the store, and tell them not to do it again.
Posted by: Katie | Thursday, December 09, 2010 at 08:10 AM
Hey, my helper Tiger is totally justified. He helps me clear a path through crowds and with all the kids around these days he never goes hungry. Amazing that folk believe you when you say they can pet him.
Posted by: McBoob | Thursday, December 09, 2010 at 08:15 AM
In many places autistic children can bring therapy dogs to school now. There was a big story about that here at the start of the school year.
Posted by: Tina | Thursday, December 09, 2010 at 08:50 AM
We had a custy who use to come in and claim her dog was a service dog, but she never had proof and the dog was always scruffy and mangy looking. She doesn't come in anymore cus she basically got in arguments with all 4 of us who work at the station.
One day, a dude came in to prepay, and had a pretty huge iguana riding on his shoulder. We then talked about being pastafarians and the flying spaghetti monster and his noodly appendage.
Posted by: ServiceStationSlave | Thursday, December 09, 2010 at 10:05 AM
There's a wonderfully behaved service yellow lab that I see with his owner on the commuter train sometimes. I saw him (or her, not sure) yesterday, wearing a blue service vest. The train stopped for longer than normal at one stop and he looked up at his owner like "oh, do we get off now?" before he realized she wasn't getting ready to leave, and then put his head back down and sighed. It was a cute "are we there yet" moment.
Posted by: The Bookseller | Thursday, December 09, 2010 at 12:54 PM
Don't assume an animal is not a service animal simply because it is not a dog, or is a small dog. Psychiatric service animals don't need to be large to do their jobs.
I have a friend with severe panic disorder and agoraphobia who has a service lizard. Yep, you read that right--a lizard. Normally, if she tries to leave on her own, it will trigger a panic attack. She carries the lizard with her when she goes out of her house because having the animal around allows her to deal with her fear and be independent rather than having to depend on another person to be with her when she goes anywhere. The lizard lets her live independently. Like any service animal, the lizard is very well-behaved and well-socialized, and wears a small identifying vest or is carried in a pet carrier that reads "Service Lizard". (The carrier is for areas where there is food being sold or served.)
Service animals do need to be well-trained, non-disruptive, clean, and extremely obedient. They don't need to be large dogs to fulfill that requirement; and it's highly recommended to clearly identify them as a service animal with a vest, harness, or other clearly readable tag. (A very small animal should be in a carrier, and the carrier should be marked.)
Psychiatric problems, from anxiety to autism, are very real; and animals can be helpful to people who have them to the point that they make the difference between institutionalization and living and working independently. The typical picture of a service animal as some kind of Golden-Retriever sized dog needs to be put aside in those cases. Be careful not to confuse a legitimate (but odd) service animal with an annoying customer trying to sneak in their pet.
Posted by: Callista | Thursday, December 09, 2010 at 01:13 PM
Every time I see someone with their little rat-dogs (or any other animal that is not clearly a service animal) in Wal-Mart, I swear I wanna kick them in the face. I've got nothing against the animal itself, it's not the animal's fault that it's owner is a fucking moron. But when some little 16 year old princess comes in with some little dog that looks like it would blow away if a strong wind came along, you know there's no way in hell that thing is a service dog... hell, by the looks of some of them they don't even look like dogs (I've seen some real UGLY dogs).
Posted by: NC Tony | Thursday, December 09, 2010 at 01:20 PM
...except that it could still be a service dog. For every sixteen-year-old princess, there's a sixteen-year-old with a small service dog.
Posted by: Callista | Thursday, December 09, 2010 at 02:16 PM
handbags wholesale: I have a 3mo Golden Retriever/German Shepherd(?) I just got a little over 2 weeks ago myself! You wouldn't happen to be in AZ would you? I got her to train as a mobility dog.
I do understand that there are a lot of animals that are psychiatric service animals, autistic service animals, etc. What I'm saying is, the number of people that are starting to abuse the system is becoming staggering. I had to explain the ramifications of taking a pet dog into the "Bullseye" next door to us to one of my neighbors because she was claiming it was a service dog. Worse was that her father HAS a service dog, so she should have known better!
On the one hand, walking around with papers showing certification can be a good thing. On the other hand, how do you get certification when there are so many different things a dog can be trained for? If you are like me, you are constantly broke, and you can't afford to pay for certification.
Posted by: Humor_Me | Thursday, December 09, 2010 at 03:11 PM
Legally, service animals don't have to be certified.
Personally, if I were a manager I would change the signs to read something like, "No Pets Allowed; Service Animals Welcome; Owners Liable For Service Animals"
By informing customers that service animals are held to a high standard, you could more easily exercise your right to eject any animal that was disruptive, dirty, uncontrolled, etc.--all of these being things that service animals should not be. A proper service animal is nearly invisible.
Incidentally, whether the animal is a service animal or not, the owner does have the right to kick the animal and its owner out if the animal is being disruptive or is not under the owner's control at all times.
Posted by: Callista | Thursday, December 09, 2010 at 03:41 PM
Owners are already liable for their service animals. Why do you think we go through so much training to be sure they are safe in public situations and retire or retrain them when they start to act out out? Being a service animal is a very stressful job and most guide dogs don't work more than 5 years because of it.
And Callista, it is true that you can kick out a service animal if it is being disruptive... http://www.ada.gov/qasrvc.htm
Posted by: Humor_Me | Thursday, December 09, 2010 at 10:48 PM
I went back and read all the comments on the wallaby's picture including the ones that got low ratings and were not shown. It looks like the ADA recently changed the law concerning service animals to include ONLY DOGS as of September 15, 2010. Personally I think its a shame as the guide ponies and helper monkeys were an excellent idea, but I can still see them as useful for anything but actually inside an establishment if the owner so deems it. http://www.ada.gov/regs2010/titleIII_2010/titleIII_2010_withbold.htm You have to scroll down a bit.
Also see #5 on this web page: http://www.ada.gov/regs2010/factsheets/title3_factsheet.html
Posted by: Humor_Me | Friday, December 10, 2010 at 12:56 AM
NumismaticNerd: I remember watching Animal Planet about that, actually. A woman would get intense seizures without warning. I think she even had a few car crashes. She figured out her little Chihuahua would react minutes before she'd have a seizure and could prepare herself accordingly. It actually did get certified as a service animal, adorable little vest and all.
Posted by: KS | Friday, December 10, 2010 at 02:23 AM
The problem is it is illegal to do anything more than ASK if an animal is a service animal. If the person says yes then nothing can be done. You can not legally ask them to prove it.
Posted by: Palican | Sunday, December 12, 2010 at 07:57 PM