First, the motel was wrong for flatly denying them a room. They simply can’t do that. As the article says, the Americans with Disabilities Act states any hotel has to allow a person with a service dog to rent a room. Period. They can’t give them only a “pet friendly” room or say the housekeeping staff doesn’t want to “deal with the dog hair.” If someone with a service dog requests a room and one is available; it has to be rented to them with no additional fees charged to them.

Second, the family was at fault because most people with service dogs have their paperwork with them at all times and give it to the business without being asked for it. It is true that businesses can’t ask for proof that the dog is a service dog, but because of recent changes in the ADA; they can ask what service the dog provides for the person. There is growing problem with people saying their pet dog is their service dog, so that they can take it with them wherever they want, whenever they want to.

I am not saying that is the case here. I am saying it is becoming easier and easier for people to buy a vest online, put it on their dog and then claim they can take it with them anywhere they want. Service dogs do a wonderful job for the people they work for, but that only works when both sides work together and understand the rules.

Robert Cooley

Westminster