As a person living with disabilities and a traumatic history arising from severe dog maulings, I find my day-to-day experiences drastically affected by the current conditions regarding dog ownership. It is not uncommon for me to be verbally abused by dog owners when I simply request them to control their pets, who tend to cause me anaphylaxis by indiscriminately jumping on me. On several instances, I ended up in a hospital resulting from a dog jumping on me in a store.

This experience is not unique to me alone. According to a study published in the Journal Of The American Medical Association, over 300,000 Americans are hospitalized for dog bite injuries annually. Additionally, Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America reports that up to 30% of people suffer from pet allergies, with dog allergies being common.

While service animals provide invaluable support to individuals in need, the lack of tight regulations allows for exploitation, with people posing their pets as service animals. This practice not only dilutes the impact of true service animals, but it also severely affects those of us with severe allergies or traumatic histories related to dogs.

By signing this petition, we are requesting the government to implement strict regulations on dog ownership, particularly pertaining to service animals, and to prohibit dogs from public spaces such as restaurants and stores to ensure the safety and health of all citizens. Kindly lend your voice to this cause for a safer, healthier community. Sign this petition today.