Bill bites down on fake service animals

A state panel heard a bill Monday that sets definitions for service animals, and sets penalties for some people who are stretching the rules in order to bring their pets into stores and restaurants. House Bill 439’s sponsor, Rep. Denley Loge, R-St. Regis, said a lot of people are bending the rules. HB 439 defines a "service animal" as a dog or miniature horse trained to aid a disabled person.The bill also allows the business owner to ask questions of a person who brings in a service animal, requires the animal be under the handler's control and allows complaints of a misrepresented service animal to be filed with the commission for human rights.