GRAND RAPIDS, Mich.—There’s relief for several people with disabilities in Michigan who count on a four-legged friend in their daily lives. A new state law went into effect this week updating Michigan’s rules on service animals.
The new registry for assistance dogs provides a patch and a state ID that any business owner or employer can look at and verify that the service dog is allowed in their establishment.
Deb Davis from Paws for a Cause told FOX 17 News that these changes have been in the works since the 1980s.
“One of the challenges prior to the law is the fact that anyone could walk into any establishment and claim that their dog is a service dog,” said Davis. “As more and more service animals have become apparent in our society, those people who are passing off their dog again just for comfort is not covered under the Americans with Disabilities Act."
These laws also give a face lift to some outdated rules in Michigan, "for instance, the increase in a fee if it’s an owner claiming it’s a false service dog,” said Davis.
The registry is voluntary for any service dog owner.
For information on these new laws, click here.
