By Hank Stephenson
Next time you’re dining in a fine restaurant, you may find yourself breaking bread next to a miniature horse – but at least it won’t be a ferret, squirrel or snake.
The House on Wednesday took the first step towards allowing miniature horses to enter restaurants when the Health Committee unanimously approved a measure that would classify miniature horses as service animals.
And although at first blush the measure may sound like another zany idea from the Arizona Legislature, in reality the bill would bring state laws up to speed with the latest version of the Americans with Disabilities Act, which defines service animals as only trained dogs and miniature horses.
Currently, state law defines service animals as dogs “or other animals” that are trained to do work or perform tasks for the benefit of an individual with a disability.
That ambiguous definition of service animal has lead to all sorts of problems, said Sherry Gillespie of the Arizona Restaurant Association.
Gillespie told the committee that HB2401, sponsored by Republican Rep. Heather Carter of Cave Creek, would solve a major quandary for restaurants: an increase in the number of people abusing the service animals law by bringing pets to dine with them that are not really service animals.
Also: Undercover probe reveals lack of oversight at Calif. horse auctions Related: Pony Burgers? Horsemeat Scam Makes Europe Gag
If you’d like to discuss equine law, contact Adam Trenk, director of RLG Equine Law Department, atrenk@roselawgroup.com
