No Service Animal Vest, No Service

Complainant alleged Respondent discriminated against them based on their disabilities when Respondent denied service to Complainant because their service dog was not wearing a vest or harness that identified the dog as a service animal, and Complainant did not provide identification to prove the dog was a service animal.  Respondent offered contradictory accounts of the incident; however, it confirmed Complainant was denied service because her dog was not identifiable as a service animal and Complainant didn’t have documentary proof the dog was a service animal. Respondent stated that Complainant was combative, argumentative, and threatening towards its staff, which Complainant denied.  The Americans with Disabilities Act does not require a person with a disability to carry identification for their service animal, or advertise their service animal’s status by means of wearing a collar or harness that displays the words “service animal” on them.  Places of public accommodation may only ask whether the person has a disability and what job the animal performs.  The case has been referred to the Hearing Unit for review.