Pit Bull Service Dogs

[RobbiRN]

You are assigned a patient who brings two pit bulls with him to the ER claiming that they are service dogs. While it is illegal to falsely claim that a dog is a service dog, we are not allowed to challenge the claim or ask for proof. The patients complains of abdominal pain, but he has wounds on his hands he states are from separating the dogs when they got in a fight. He has no one else with him to help with the dogs, and they are on long leashes which allow them free access to the majority of his room. When you prepare to draw his blood they jump onto the stretcher, standing on either side of him. What would you do?

[Daisy4RN]

4 hours ago, tining said:

If you google ESA - emotional support animal - you will find that anyone can get a 'letter' stating they need the ESA. Some of these web sites churn these 'letters' out for a fee.

Yes exactly, too many people who abuse this service that was originally intended for people with disabilities like blindness, seizures, PTSD, etc. I have seen a video of someone trying to bring their emotional support peacock on a plane.

[hppygr8ful, ASN, RN, EMT-I]

2 hours ago, mtmkjr said:

The problem I see with pitbulls as service animals is that their reputation precedes them. Deserved or not, people are intimidated by them. Service animals are allowed in all kinds of spaces where you would not expect to see an animal. That leads to basically forcing people to be in close proximity with a fear inducing animal.

I was once walking my feisty Yorkie when a person came up in the other direction with an unleashed Pit Bull. I picked my dog up. The owner said "Don't worry He's friendly!" I stated " I'm sure he is but mine thinks she is an angry Pit Bull!" the other owner laughed and we all went on our way.

Hppy

[mtmkjr, BSN]

4 minutes ago, hppygr8ful said:

I was once walking my feisty Yorkie when a person came up in the other direction with an unleashed Pit Bull. I picked my dog up. The owner said "Don't worry He's friendly!" I stated " I'm sure he is but mine thinks she is an angry Pit Bull!" the other owner laughed and we all went on our way.

Hppy

? We can't have Yorkies as service dogs either lol

[Neats, BSN]

Late to this thread but thought I would reply. In 2004 there were 66 emotional support dog complaints of which 57 were found to be related to "other disabilities" meaning they could not show proof of disability in the end. In 2011 there was 466 complaints of which 411 of these could not show proof. Source NBC Chicago. I have sat by a bird on a flight one time, that bird was wearing a diaper. The bird slept and was vocal at times. The person was nice and kept the bird away from me. On another flight I sat by a yapppy dog who would not shut up, many other flyers complained and the dog owner offered many apologies. If it was a pit bull I would not take care of my patient until the dogs were removed.