IOWA Advocate-Stand Against Service Dog Fraud
Every day, the safety and access rights of legitimate service dogs and their Warriors are threatened by fake service dogs. Misrepresenting a pet as a service dog is against the law and has serious consequences for people with disabilities who rely on trained services dogs for independence. Fraudulent services dogs cause confusion around the laws and can pose a serious threat to the safety of working service dogs.
Iowa is one of 23 states that has laws regarding fake service dogs. According to Iowa Code 216C.11(3a-3b), (3a) A person who intentionally misrepresents an animal as a service animal or a service-animal-in-training is, upon conviction, guilty of a simple misdemeanor. (3b) A person commits the offense of intentional misrepresentation of an animal as a service animal or a service-animal-in-training if all of the following elements are established:
For the purpose of obtaining any of the rights or privileges set forth in state or federal law, the person intentionally misrepresents an animal in one’s possession as one’s service animal or service-animal-in-training or a person with a disability’s service animal or service-animal-in-training whom the person is assisting by controlling.
The person was previously given a written or verbal warning regarding the fact that it is illegal to intentionally misrepresent an animal as a service animal or a service-animal-in-training.
The person knows that the animal in question is not a service animal or a service-animal-in-training.
In Iowa, it is a simple misdemeanor and could result in up to 30 days in jail and a fine. The Iowa Department of Human Services oversees this law.
Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA): Service Animal Requirements
This federal document provides clarification on the definition of a service animal and their requirements.
Traveling by Air with a Service Animals
The U.S. Department of Transportation provides guidelines for traveling with a service animal on a plane.
UPGRADEPOINTS provides this article on how to prepare for an air travel trip with a disability.