Fraudulent service animals

[Bella802]

get this… we get a request from a guest .  I read up on this guest’s reviews and an owner/host a few months ago says she brought two dogs (surprise!).  Dogs were not service dogs and apparently they left the place a mess.  I ask her if this is a solo booking  and she tells me she has two service dogs — so somewhere between now and the recent booking, those dogs became service dogs?  Or did she get smarter about what she needs to say?

I read reviews of her as a host — lots of complaints from guests about her constantly yapping dogs, their aggressiveness, lack of training, etc etc.  Sounded like the same small dogs. One of them bit a guest. So I have real doubts whether these animals are really service animals.

We have a state law against fraudulently claiming service animals who are not.  it seems that Airbnb offers no protection to owners at all and requires us who have a no-pet policy to accept anyone claiming service animal protection.  Am I wrong?

[Marie8425]

I an disabled myself so very accommodating of service animals that are truly service animals.  I just state I do accept service animals willingly but state laws say I can have reasonable expectations.

A Service Animal like  my wheelchair is not locked in my rental alone they are assisting just like my wheelchair assists me.  I can't function without my  my service aide making it a legal aid I require

Service Animals are working animals not glorified pets.  So a working animal is different just like a working police dog.  They are not easily  distracted by pets in my home people in my home or even unexpectant noise outside.  They are working supporting the disabled person.

I have rented to people with true service animals.  I had a tenant for over a year who had a  beautiful husky that actually forced him to sit down when his sugar was out of control he was diabetic.  He and the dog were always together even just a rub to the drugstore.  His necessary aide to function just like my chair

States do not consider an animal to meet state guidelines as a service animal if any aggression to people or animals.  You are not allowed any type of disability aide that could be considered dangerous.  If she has public statements that her service animal bit someone, you are not required to accept because you could be exposing  yourself to liability for damages caused by her aide  Kills the neighbors cat who knows but the disability laws protect you from those scenarios

[Bella802]

It would be so helpful if there was a way to identify true service dogs from fraudulently labeled ones.  I genuinely suspect that this woman is lying about her dogs being service animals.  It is a tremendous disservice to those who truly rely on service animals and airbnb hosts who are trying to protect their homes while complying with the law.  And airbnb is great at writing policies, useless in assisting in their implementation

[Helen3]

If it's a request, you mentioned she had poor reviews as a guest. What are her ratings like?

You could decline based on her previous reviews potentially.?  @Bella802 

[Jenny · Accepted solution]

Hi @Bella802 

I just thought I'd pop on and share the Accessibility Policy with you, which details more about Service Animals and Emotional Support Animals in relation to Airbnb.  There are expectations for guests, as well as Hosts.

Hope you find the information useful.

Jenny