Service/Therapy Animals

[David8344]

I would like to know what our rights are  as host when we allow these so called support animals stay and they destroy our items.  Most recently we had a guest leave Sunday.  When we went in the unit, it smelled awful, like a wet dog kennel,  dog hair everywhere.  We had to replace the couch and mattress due to the smell and hair.  So what are our rights? Thanks in advance for your help

[Anonymous]

@David8344 You have the right to initiate a Resolution Request seeking compensation for the damage. Given that this will be a high-value claim, the guest will probably dispute the charge, so you'll want to have photos and receipts for all of the replacement or repair costs ready for the intervention. 

The new policy update announced just 2 weeks ago now extends some coverage for damage caused by pets, but if the damage was limited to hair and smell, you'll likely get some pushback from the mediator on the idea that the furniture had to be replaced rather than deep-cleaned. 

Unfortunately, the policy that allows guests to take untrained "emotional support" animals into homes with no-pet policy hasn't been changed, and more and more guests are discovering that they can use this loophole to turn any host's house into a kennel without paying pet fees.

[David8344]

Thank you so much for your feedback

[Sarah977]

@David8344  Read the service animal policy. You are allowed to ask the guests two specific questions, and assistance animals must be housebroken, never left alone in the unit, etc.

I'd venture a guess that 75% of people claiming they have an assistance animal are lying. And when you point out the service animal rules to them when they first book or request to book, many cancel or withdraw the request, as they had every intention of leaving the animal alone while they went out for the day or out for dinner.