Apartment complex is asking for my dog's service licence?

[vohkinne]

There are currently no federal laws under which service dogs have to be registered or licensed, so when the manager of the apartment complex I'm going to be living in next year asked me for my service dog's license, I tried explaining to her that there is no federal registration process for service animals yet and that if anyone has told her their service animal is "licensed" it is either fake or they simply have a certificate of completion from a service dog school. I offered to show her my legal documentation of disability as well as provide a note from the doctor who diagnosed me and has been working with my disability for many years, but she said she still needed "the tag that says they're a service dog". For anyone who is familiar with service animals, as I've said before these tags are usually fake in the sense that they are not issued by the government or any law. Most people who fake having service animals will order papers or tags online to get by with it, which is now posing a problem for me as a true disabled person. Does anyone have any suggestions?

[delron72]

In the county where I live they INSIST that service dogs are Licensed and the dogs are given special tags.

Since this is a bonafide service dog you should have no problem going to your county and getting the tag. I know you are not trying to pass your pet off as a service dog, because that would be wrong.

My County has you fill out an AFFADAVIT as well when you apply for the license.

Your landlord is allowed to insist all dogs are properly licensed that reside on his property.

My suggestion is you check with your County and see what their laws are and your state regarding licensing of Service dogs.

Here is an example from my county regarding the tag-
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GUIDELINES FOR ASSISTANCE DOG TAG APPLICATION
Assistance dogs are specifically trained animals used in service to disabled persons as defined by State law. They are not pets that merely bark when a stranger approaches or provide companionship to the lonely. The law is specific regarding what defines a "disabled person" and what qualifies as an "assistance dog". In order for the Department of Animal Services to issue an assistance dog tag and endorse upon the license record the term “assistance dog”, the following criteria must be met:

The licensed owner or dependent of the licensed owner of the dog must have a verifiable disability as defined by California Civil Code Section 54 and California Government Code Section 12926 and
The dog owner must provide written proof of such disability to the Department of Animal Services, and
The animal owner must provide a detailed description of the tasks that the dog has been specifically trained to perform in service to the disabled party, and
The animal owner must provide verifiable proof of specific, individual training received by the dog, and
The animal owner must complete, sign and submit an "Assistance Dog" Identification Application and an "Assistance Dog Affidavit" to the Department of Animal Services, and
The animal owner must provide proof of current rabies vaccination and license at the time that the application is filed and must maintain both license and rabies vaccination current at all times, and
The animal owner understands that they must obey all laws, ordinances and regulations regarding proper care, keeping, housing and restraint of dogs, and
The owner agrees that immediately upon the death, disability, relocation or retirement of the dog, the "Assistance Dog Tag" must be surrendered to the Department of Animal Services.


Here is the affadavit you have to sign
http://portal.countyofventura.org/portal/page/portal/animalreg/Documents/assistance%20dog%20affidavit.pdf

Here is the application you have to fill out for the license-
http://portal.countyofventura.org/portal/page/portal/animalreg/Documents/assistdogapp.pdf

[gofraidh34]

i would seek legal advice if your landlord doesn't like pet's even if they are service animals, you may have a case.

[devdutta58]

Interesting. I'd go on-line and get a service dog tag.

As an alternative you can, in a friendly way, tell them again that no such thing exists and if they press you that you do have legal remedies regarding discrimination against disabled people but I hate it when that has to happen. Be friendly but insistent.

Frankly I'm vaguely surprised that the government hasn't stuck its nose in this business so it could charge a fee and raise money by licensing service dogs. I'll bet the legislatures in California haven't thought of that yet - why heck they could charge a hundred bucks for a fifty cent piece of paper.

The point is maybe you're better off without a government license and just get the on-line one.

[sebastiano]

Get the licence or you'll be **** out of luck. Find some other place to live who wont mind you having a pet.

Strange I have come across many people with service animals, that need them, and they all were lisenced. Why, if you need your SA do you not just get it lisenced?

I hope your not trying to pass your pet off as a SA.

People this is not a case of discrimination, you sue crazy people. She HAS to show proof that her dog is a SA before it can be a case of discrimination.

:) answers the same td or not

[choviohoya]

Just did some looking. You'll have to go down to DHHS on Monday and get your service animal registered. They will provide you with a stamped registration tag for your dog.

[orson19]

YouHave2Be....Federal law trumps state law. They can't insist that service dogs have a special license. If the county requires licenses for pets (not all counties or even states do), then service dogs have to have that license, but they can not charge for it like they would pets.

Asker...Call 1800-Call-FHA and talk to HUD. They will resolve it for you.