You may have seen them before, animals with a leash and harness that says, "do not touch." These are considered service animals for those with disabilities.

Starting this month, if you put that vest on an animal not certified to wear it, there could be a big penalty for misrepresenting a service animal.

"He's just so cute," said Karen Wilson from Fargo. "He makes me smile all the time."

Wilson is talking about Leo, her Lionhead Rabbit.

"He really helps when you're under stress and anxiety," said Wilson.

She says living alone can be hard, and having her furry companion makes it easier.

"They're there for you when you don't have anybody else," said Wilson.

But what makes Leo different from other animals is that he isn't a service animal, which is defined by federal law as dogs that are individually trained to do work or perform tasks for people with disabilities.

That's different from an emotional support animal. They are not included as service animals under the Americans with Disabilities Act.

As of August 1st, misrepresentation of a service animal could cost you up to $1,000.

"I think that's a really huge amount," said Kari Douglas from Fargo. "You know I think that's really kind of insane."

But Nolan Lavalley says the ones that are trying to cheat the system should get penalized.

"I can see it because I mean that's not something that should be abused," said Lavalley. "There are dogs that go through training so that they can actually provide services to people that need them."

For more information from the ADA on service animals, click here: https://www.ada.gov/service_animals_2010.htm