When people hear the term service dog fraud, they usually think of a pet in a vest — someone pretending their dog is a service dog to bring it into public places. That’s one kind of fraud, and it’s frustrating for everyone who relies on a legitimate service dog.
But there are two other, less talked-about kinds of service dog fraud that can cause harm — these other scams don’t just hurt the image of service dogs, they can hit people in the wallet.
Let’s look at all three types, what they look like in real life, and how to spot the warning signs.
Fake or poor trainers and organizations
Some trainers and breeders charge tens of thousands of dollars for “fully trained” service dogs, but deliver dogs that are untrained, unsuitable, or even dangerous.
A well-known example is Service Dogs by Warren Retrievers in Virginia – an alleged non-profit organization. Through fund-raising, families paid up to $27,000 for diabetic alert or autism service dogs that were supposed to perform important tasks. Instead, many received poorly trained, unhousebroken dogs that couldn’t perform needed tasks, did not display proper behavior in public, or both. The Virginia Attorney General sued the company for deceptive practices, resulting in millions of dollars in restitution and penalties.
In another case, a woman was scammed out of $18,500 by a Spokane, Washington trainer when she bought a dog to mitigate her child’s autism and anxiety. Amy Fellows turned to a business called Dogology NW after learning that an Oregon non-profit service dog provider had a three year waiting list. After scraping together the cash with the help of her mother, Ms. Fellows received a crossbreed puppy (Newfoundland and poodle) that soon showed signs of trouble. The dog was too nervous to work in public and growled at her child. Ms. Fellows eventually won a $10,000 settlement in small claims court, but did not recover her full $18,500. A Spokane County judge ruled the dog was “not remotely sufficiently trained (and) not suited for public access conditions”.
These cases show why people looking to buy a service dog should be cautious. A legitimate service dog provider will:
- Evaluate your needs carefully before matching you with a dog
- Explain how their dogs are trained
- Offer ongoing support after placement
- Discuss how they obtain their dogs
- Not promise quick, “turnkey” service dogs for a fee
For people with disabilities, the damage can be devastating — lost money, wasted time, and emotional distress from being paired with a dog that doesn’t actually help.
Fake Certifications and Registries
A Google search for “service dog certification” will produce a list of companies that offer to register your dog today with some claiming you can then take your pet anywhere. Some of these have official sounding names like , ADA Service Animal Registry or Federal Service Dog Registration.
Others, like USA Service Dog Registry may have less official sounding names, but generally these services sell certificates, ID cards, and vests, often for $69 to $199, that claim to make your dog a “registered service animal.”
Other companies like Support Pets blur the line between service dogs and emotional support animals (ESAs) by claiming that registration lets ESAs go almost anywhere in public. That’s just false.
These services take people’s money by offering misleading and unnecessary services. The Americans With Disabilities Act does not require registration nor does it maintain a registry of service animals. Service dog handers can be asked two questions by businesses or their employees to determine if a dog is a service animal:
- Is the dog a service animal required because of a disability?
- What work or task has the dog been trained to perform?
They aren’t allowed to ask if the dog has been registered, so what purpose do registries serve other than to charge fees? Investigations by WTHR News and Pettable have shown just how easy it is to buy one of these fake certificates, sometimes in minutes, with no proof of training or disability. These business appear to be facilitating people who wish to present their pets as service animals by selling official looking certification cards, vests, and gear.
Pets Posing as Service Dogs
This is the kind of fraud most of you already know about. Someone buys a vest or fake ID from a retailer like Amazon and claims their pet is a service dog so they can bring it into stores, restaurants, or airplanes.
Sometimes it’s done for convenience — to avoid pet fees or deposits in rental properties, but it has real consequences.
Fake or poorly trained service dogs that bark, lunge, or relieve themselves in public make business owners more skeptical and create access problems for people who truly rely on service dogs.
In response, many states have passed laws imposing fines or community service for misrepresenting a pet as a service animal. It’s also a federal crime to falsely claim a pet is a service animal on the US Department of Transportation Service Animal Air Transportation Form.
Why This Matters
Any type of service dog fraud contributes to the erosion of public trust in legitimate service dogs, harming those of us who depend on them. Some scammers are just simply criminals, like fake service dog trainers that take money from people who with a real need for a properly trained service dog. Other scammers offer unneeded services, such as service dog registries, or will aid and abet those looking to present a pet as a service dog – for a fee.
The solution starts with awareness.
- Start your search for a trainer by looking into non-profit organizations like Canine Companions. Assistance Dogs International also provides a list of all the programs it has accredited
- Review our guide on how to choose a service dog provider
- Be skeptical of any online site promising instant certification or legal access.
- And if you see a dog behaving badly in public, remember — that’s not how real service dogs behave.
Your Thoughts and Experiences
Have you been the victim of a form of service dog fraud? Please share your experience by leaving a comment below. Thanks!
