Last year, the Department of Justice (“DOJ”) proposed frightful regulations for the Americans with Disabilities Act (“ADA”). They will likely go into effect by the end of this year. These regulations, if enacted, will greatly limit the type of animal that the disabled can use in public spaces.

As profiled in the Seattle Times, Daniel Greene is one individual likely to be affected under the new regulations. Mr. Greene relies on his five-foot-long boa constrictor, Redrock, to warn him of oncoming seizures. Mr. Greene believes that Redrock can sense a change in body temperature shortly before a seizure and then can alert Mr. Greene by “hugging” his neck. ” As a service snake, Redrock is currently protected under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). But if DOJ’s new rules go into effect, Redrock will lose his protected status, which allows him to accompany Mr. Greene into public places such as stores, restaurants, and theaters.

Siouxsie says let the man use his snake. Redrock isn’t hurting anyone. What is the big deal? Siouxsie gently reminds everyone that it was not so long ago that people complained about the use of canines as service animals.

Sadly, Mr. Greene and his snake are not alone. There are many people with a wide range of disabilities that would be impacted by these overly-restrictive regulations.

The proposed regulations are overbroad and ill-conceived. They limit the definition of service animal to “a dog or other common domestic animal” and exclude “wild animals (including nonhuman primates born in captivity), reptiles, rabbits, farm animals (including any breed of horse, miniature horse, pony, pig, or goat), ferrets, amphibians, and rodents.”

These changes are absolutely horrid.

What can you do? Siouxsie says e-mail Attorney General of the United States — Mr. Eric Holder. Tell him not to adopt such sweeping changes to the ADA. AskDOJ@usdoj.gov

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Posted in Law