Couple Claims Park Ranger Got Violent Over Service Dog
(News-Press)
July 19, 2012
EAST NAPLES, FLORIDA– [Excerpt provided by Inclusion Daily Express] An east Naples couple say they are fighting for the rights of the disabled and hope to raise awareness of those who use service dogs after a recent confrontation that, they say, turned physical.
The couple, who were on vacation at Hawaii Volcanoes National Park in early May, will return Wednesday to fight charges issued by U.S. park rangers. Robert Taylor, a 48-year-old disabled Navy veteran and his wife, Lauri Housworth, a Naples dentist, received a pair of $275 citations for failure to obey a lawful instruction. Taylor received another $75 citation for failure to crate, restrain or confine a pet.
The couple and Taylor’s service dog, Kona, were having a cookout May 10.
According to Taylor, Anthony Lutz, a park ranger, pulled up to the picnic area at the military camp where the couple was staying, put his hand on his weapon and demanded to know the couple’s identity and why they were there. Taylor said he explained that they were staying nearby and having a cookout.
Lutz then turned his attention to Kona, said Taylor, adding that the German shepherd was leashed and wearing its service dog vest. Lutz told Taylor that he couldn’t have his dog there. Taylor explained that Kona was a service dog.
“He then ordered me to show ID for the service dog,” Taylor said. “I told him, ‘Sir, according to federal law, he doesn’t have to have an ID card.'”
Entire article:
East Naples couple claim Hawaii hassle over their dog
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