情緒支持動物

April 22, 2014 • wai

情緒支持動物
這件事你可能沒聽過，但顯然現行有些法律規定，任何穿著背心的動物在法律上都會被歸類為情緒支持動物（ESA），並且依法必須陪同飼主前往他們想去的任何地方。此外，根據 1990 年《美國身心障礙者法案》（ADA），任何人其實都不得對這隻陪伴動物的飼主提出過多質疑。正如你可以想像的，這已經引發不少爭議，而且不只是雨中淋濕的狗狗散發出的臭味而已。

這項法律目前有兩個重大問題。第一，是法律措辭含糊不清。由於這種模糊性，商家只能詢問關於動物的 2 個問題：「這是服務動物嗎？」以及「牠受過什麼訓練？」然而，動物飼主無須為自己的回答提供任何證明。最關鍵的是什麼？如果商家沒有毫無疑問地接受這隻「服務」動物，就可能面臨法律訴訟。這正是 ESA 真正的問題：牠們不需要任何特殊訓練就能提供情緒支持，甚至可能只是剛從店裡帶回來的小貓。若你是想避免訴訟的商家，也只能相信飼主的一面之詞。 

法律的第二個問題是，它（不意外地）遭到大規模濫用。人們可以帶著蛇、蜘蛛、迷你馬、狗、貓等各種動物進入公共場所，並聲稱這些動物能為他們某種未定義的心理疾病提供情緒支持；考量到把一條蟒蛇帶進 Burger King 的瘋狂程度，某些情況下這或許真的有可能。然而，既沒有舉證責任，事實上也完全沒有監管機構，因此濫用的空間極大。

不幸的是，由於缺乏監管，加上這些案例實在荒唐，反而讓真正需要服務動物的人生活更加困難。舉例來說，患有嚴重廣場恐懼症的人一離開住處，就會承受巨大的壓力並出現恐慌發作。研究顯示，情緒支持動物，尤其是訓練良好的犬隻，在許多情況下能安撫飼主，讓他們即使患有心理疾病也能正常生活。
所以，基本上就是少數害群之馬，毀了真正有疾病人士的好事。帶著動物同行，可能意味著你不能進入供應或販售食物的場所，但這有非常充分的理由。基於幾個相當明顯的因素，公共衛生與安全標準顯然要求我們吃的食物應與這些毛茸茸的朋友保持距離：
 
  • 動物其實不太在乎何時何地上廁所，尤其是未受訓練的動物
  • 動物會毫不在意地踩到自己的糞便或尿液
  • 動物可能攜帶寄生蟲、昆蟲，以及各種令人毛骨悚然的小生物。
  • 許多動物有體味，而且在牠們旁邊吃帕瑪森雞肉可不太愉快。
  • 你或許會覺得這些都是常識，但討人厭的人就是討人厭。於是人類更需要向動物尋求情緒支持，也讓愚蠢行為與不必要問題的無盡循環再次上演。
     
     

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評論(3)

  1. Jana Thomas

    Actually ESA animals only have access rights on transportation and in housing situations. ESA's DO NOT have public access rights, only SERVICE DOGS have public access, and service Miniature horses have access rights. No other type of animal has public access rights. The problem is all the FAKERS using the law and knowing that businesses are afraid to question someone with the vest or ID for fear of a law suit. However, they would WIN the lawsuit if it is only an ESA animal as the ADA law does specify the difference between an ESA an a service animal. Being disabled myself, it is very frustrating to see all these fakers taking advantage of this. It is easy to spot a REAL service dog, for example, they are well behaved and are not fed from tables at restaurants. Most service animals become 'invisible' and you don't even realize they are there.

  2. Debra

    I quite agree that some people do abuse this law. It needs to have major revision done. Namely pet owners should have to prove that their companion animal is a service animal and has been so trained. Yes, there will be those who try to fake documentation, but if service animals are registered with a phone number that can be immediately called to verify owner proofs/documentation, this could prevent false proof. Store owners/managers, restaurant managers, etc. would be sent stickers to put by registers, etc. with a nationwide phone number and maybe even a web site to verify a customer's claim that his or her pet is a trained, service animal. Owner documents would include a registration number and identity code or name to give automated answering service or web site.

  3. Luis Williams

    The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) is a federal law that prohibits discrimination against individuals with disabilities in several areas, including employment, transportation, and places of public accommodation, such as restaurants and stores. The law applies to both physical and mental disabilities.
    Emotional support animals (ESAs) can be considered a "reasonable accommodation" under the ADA for individuals with a disability who have a disability-related need for an ESA. This means that if an individual has a disability and their emotional support animal is necessary for them to have an equal opportunity to use and enjoy their housing, or for them to perform their job, a landlord or employer must make an exception to a "no pets" policy to allow the individual to have their emotional support animal with them. However, it is important to note that not all animals qualify as emotional support animals, the individual should have some kind of diagnosis from a mental health professional.

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