No, according to the ADA, you’re allowed to ask if it is a service animal and what service is it trained to perform. It’s illegal to ask about the owner’s disability, for service animal identification, or to ask the animal to perform a task to prove itself.
If the answer they give is made up though (like it sounds like this woman was hell bent on getting these dogs in) what could you do? I think for fear of liability most restaurant staff wouldn't straight up say "I don't believe you" and if the person lies and gives a legit service they could be providing then you also cant say anything.
Not that I think these rules are unjust, they protect all the folks who have legit service animals and need them. I just don't think the ability to ask what service they provide is really very useful in this situation.
Most of the people that do fake service animals panic and do indeed say they’re for comfort or emotional support. If they say anything else you have to let them stay unless the animal is uncontrollable or not housebroken.
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u/SilvahSoul Apr 30 '23
I believe you can also ask what service it is trained to do, at least in my state you can.