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Should Every Dog Be Allowed in Public?

In the service dog community, the term “public access” refers to a dog’s ability to enter places that typically do not allow pets. A dog without public access rights may accompany their handler to locations like a pet store or local mall, but only a service dog with public access rights can enter places like restaurants, for example.

In South Africa, public access is only granted to service dogs. However, many people wish to bring their pets or Emotional Support Animals (ESAs) with them to places like stores or restaurants. I’ve often heard the question, “What’s the harm?”

So, should all dogs be allowed in public spaces? What are the potential issues with allowing every dog to be there?

The simplest explanation is that service dogs receive hundreds of hours of intensive, specialized training, which is specifically designed to ensure they can perform vital tasks for their handlers. In addition to learning specific skills, service dogs are trained to remain largely “invisible” unless their assistance is needed. This means that, in most cases, a service dog should not be disruptive, and they should be able to remain calm and unobtrusive while accompanying their handler in public. If a service dog is not under control—such as by barking excessively, urinating inappropriately, or engaging in disruptive behavior—it can be asked to leave a public space. This standard is set to ensure that service dogs remain focused on their critical role and do not become a distraction or pose a risk to public safety or order. In contrast, animals such as pets, therapy dogs, and Emotional Support Animals (ESAs) do not have the legal right to be in public areas that are not pet-friendly. Additionally, they do not undergo the same level of rigorous training that service dogs receive, which is why they are not granted the same access.

The presence of an untrained or poorly-trained dog in a public space can be highly problematic, especially when it comes to service dogs and the essential role they play in supporting their handlers. These dogs perform specific tasks that are necessary for their partner’s well-being, whether it’s guiding a person who is blind, alerting someone to a medical emergency, or assisting with mobility. If a service dog is distracted by the presence of another dog, or if it is attacked or harassed by an untrained animal, the service dog’s ability to carry out these life-saving tasks can be compromised. There have been numerous instances where service dogs have been physically harmed or distracted to the point that they can no longer perform their duties, leaving their handlers vulnerable and in danger.

This brings up a common question: What about well-trained, well-behaved dogs? Surely, if a dog has earned a Canine Good Citizen certificate or if they can remain “invisible” and calm in public, even if they’re not specifically needed to perform a task like a service dog, they should be allowed in public spaces, right?

The answer is no. Even if a dog has undergone significant training and behaves impeccably in public, this is not the reason why service dogs are granted public access. The key factor is that service dogs are considered medical equipment, just as necessary to their handlers as a wheelchair, hearing aid, or oxygen tank. This designation means that a service dog is not just a well-behaved pet or trained animal, but a critical, life-saving tool that is integral to the handler’s ability to live independently and safely. Therefore, the legal protections granted to service dogs go beyond behavior or training alone—they are fundamentally about the essential role these animals play in the health and safety of their handlers. As a result, while other well-trained dogs might be able to behave appropriately in public, they are not entitled to the same access because they do not have the same medical necessity.

In South Africa, there is a significant number of people who suffer from a deep fear of dogs or have severe allergic reactions to them. These individuals should have the fundamental right to access public spaces without the added stress of encountering dogs, which could cause them emotional distress or physical harm. Public spaces should be accessible and inclusive for everyone, regardless of their fears or health conditions.

Service dogs, however, are an exception to this. They are not simply pets but are crucial medical aids for individuals who rely on them for various aspects of their daily lives. Service dogs are allowed in public spaces because they are seen as necessary equipment for their handlers’ well-being, not just as companions. This allowance is vital for the independence and quality of life of individuals with disabilities.

That being said, it is important to draw a distinction between service dogs and regular dogs. A dog that is not a service animal, no matter how well-behaved it might be, should not take precedence over the rights of others. People who are afraid of dogs or have allergies deserve the ability to move freely in public spaces without fear of encountering dogs, whether they’re service animals or not. It is essential that the rights of people with fears and allergies are respected, ensuring that public spaces are accessible and safe for all.

So, what harm does allowing every dog in public do?

  1. Poorly-behaved dogs can distract a service dog from their medically-necessary work
  2. Poorly-behaved dogs can attack and ruin hundreds of hours and thousands of rands of work with a service dog
  3. Even well-behaved dogs can cause severe allergy attacks or fear in bystanders (and they don’t have the right to supercede these others’ rights to freely access public locations)

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