Unqualified Assistance Animals Causing Distress and Confusion, Handlers Say

Handlers and advocates in Western Australia report that unqualified pets posing as legitimate assistance dogs are causing distress and confusion in public spaces, prompting calls for greater awareness and discussion around accreditation standards.

Navy veteran Gary Crombie, based in Bunbury in Western Australia's South West, relies on his golden retriever, Levi, for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Mr Crombie reported recently encountering an animal displaying service dog markings that lunged and barked at Levi in public. He stated that such distractions are distressing and can compromise the safety of handlers who depend on their animals.

Key Concerns and Incidents

• Handlers report untrained pets wearing service dog markings are undermining working animal legitimacy.
• Incidents include aggressive behavior from unqualified dogs towards trained assistance animals.
• Nigel Huckstep, founding member of WA Assistance and Therapy Dogs, reported observing similar issues in Busselton, noting that it can create prejudice against legitimate working animals and those with invisible disabilities.

Accreditation and Regulatory Landscape

Assistance dog accreditation and recognition rules differ across Australian states and territories. In Western Australia, dogs trained by prescribed organisations are recognized under legislation, and private dogs can obtain public access rights if they meet specific approval requirements.

• Guide Dogs WA mobility instructor Katie Crawford noted that varying uniforms and jackets across different organisations can create public confusion.
• University of Queensland law professor Paul Harpur suggested that a national identification system could offer benefits, pointing to Queensland's government-issued card scheme as an example that provides proof and confidence without being overly burdensome.
• Professor Harpur emphasized that any regulatory changes must avoid creating additional barriers for people with disabilities.

How to Handle Concerns

A spokesperson for the Western Australia Department of Local Government, Industry Regulation and Safety advised that concerns regarding dog behavior should be directed to the relevant local government authority. Handlers who believe they have been unlawfully denied access can utilize complaint mechanisms and protections under the Disability Discrimination Act.