My service dog is being unjustly targeted by the City of Portland Maine. Governor Gregg, my service dog's name, has been trained to alert to when my seizures will occur. Governor has also been voice command trained allowing him to be controlled off-leash. The ability to be off-leash is vital to his service task. You see, Governor is a Border Collie and like all good Border Collies he herds. The way he alerts to my seizures is to circle me in an agitated herding manner. If Governor was leashed when this occurred, the leash itself would and could cause greater injury. All dog owners have experienced their dog leash becoming entangled around legs. Now imagine, you are having a seizure and you have a rope around your legs.

The ADA clearly states "Under the ADA, service animals must be harnessed, leashed, or tethered, unless these devices interfere with the service animal’s work or the individual’s disability prevents using these devices. In that case, the individual must maintain control of the animal through voice, signal, or other effective controls." The City of Portland Maine laws does not recognize that service dogs can be off-leash. Governor and I have received citations, been harassed by police, park rangers, and other "law enforcement (we are not even allowed in the Public Library). All citations have been dismissed when brought to court because the citation and the laws were and are in direct violation of the ADA.

Governor is an awesome, well-behaved dog. He has never met a stranger human or animal. Never caused a scene or problem. Help Governor and I change the laws and attitudes of the City of Portland by signing this petition to allow Service Dogs to be off-leash when trained and well behaved as the ADA states. Please and Thank you.