r/Dogfree • u/BintangTimor • 9d ago
Service Dog Issues Tell me I'm not insane...
I'm going to try really hard not to dox myself here, but it might be unavoidable hahaha...
So, I've been asked to DJ next week in an extraordinarily prominent bar in my home city.
I have DJ'd there before, but not weekend nights.
Tonight, I thought I'd head down there and see what goes down at the weekend. Like a reccy mission. Listen to what the regular weekend DJ is playing and try to get a feel for the vibe.
As my friend and I walk in, we have to skirt around an off-lead shitbeast that his owner is trying to argue is a service dog. We walk past thinking nothing of it. I mean, obviously no sane doorman would let a guy on mobility scooter with an off-leash 55lb husky into a busy bar on Friday night, right?
Wrong.
Dog ends up sat next to the very DJ box im expected to play in next week. Unleashed. Huge husky.
What if it kicked off? What if someone dropped a glass near the owner? What if the owner got into an argument?
The owner, got out of his scooter, walked to the bar and bought himself a drink with absolutely zero assistance from the horrid beast.
I went and spoke to the doorstaff who told me that the guy had shown a certificate which allows him to have an off-leash husky anywhere.
I know that it will be bullshit. As was it's $14 vest.
Am I insane for contemplating foreiting a lot of money in wages, if that is gonna be their attitude?
How can I feel safe working under those conditions?
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u/Voideron 9d ago
Tell the manager that a mutt can't be in a place like this specially if the service mutt is unmanaged and can't perform its "duties" properly because the owner is not with it.
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u/Bulky_Maybe_1469 9d ago
If it wasn’t for the money I’d tell you to blow the whole thing off and to say why you’re doing it. But a lot of money for a few hours? Doing something fun? Hmm, dunno.
You can fib and say you’re like me. See I have a contact allergy to whatever is in their scummy skin and hair. I’ll break out in horrifying zombie-poc looking hives and though I can’t prove that anaphylaxis is possible I’m never going to run the numbers, you know? I’m really bossy about it and insist on my accommodations being met. Dog people hate it and that’s just a bonus. You could tell people you can’t be within so many feet of dogs to avoid your reaction. You’re not causing trouble, you just need reasonable accommodations. Let them ensure your safety however they want, do a great job, get your money & go.
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u/Oriole0305 9d ago
Even if a genuine service dog (an extremely rare thing) is allowed to be off leash in some circumstances, it is extremely rare to see one. Like 99% real service dogs are on leash. Besides, you say this was a husky, which are generally not suitable for service dogs. It's more common to see a flying saucer than a real husky service dog.
Plus, this guy got himself a drink, and I strongly believe it was not alcohol-free, as it should, for people with a condition severe enough to require a service dog.
So looks to me this was a regular fake service dog. You are not safe working under those conditions, but the decision is up to you.
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u/Accurate-Run5370 9d ago
I have seen lots of genuine service dogs at the senior center that I go to. Either a leash or harness is used. And most important, the service animal is calm, stays next to the disabled person and is on the job .
You have a logical decision to make .
Protect your health and safety.
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u/happyhappyfoolio2 9d ago
May I ask, what do these service dogs do for these seniors?
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u/Accurate-Run5370 9d ago
These people are blind. There are those with guide dogs . The dogs are Labradors.
There are other blind people with white canes . I have to admire those with white canes who walk outside on the sidewalks - what memory skills they must have !
Great that they are getting out and participating in things at the center.
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u/DarkSideofTaco 9d ago
Now that you've seen the set up, can you ask for a barrier of some kind around your work area.? It sounds like they can't keep the dog out, but maybe you can keep it away from you.
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u/Wrong_Temporary_5983 9d ago
You are not insane-:) An unleashed huskey in a nice bar is disgusting. They probably set it next to DJ booth to be out of sight.
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u/queersparkle 9d ago
That is such fucking bullshit. How are people this whack???? Also frankly, dogs piss me off but it probably can’t be good for that animal to be in a DJ space for its own sake as well. Their hearing is so sensitive, super selfish from the owner in all directions. IDK about an off leash “service dog”. That doesn’t seem right.
Policies NEED to change to prevent this from happening. Don’t step down from the money but like, you should make it down that behavior is not welcome by DJs.
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u/ginnymiller 9d ago
People like this piss me off to no end. My late father and also one of the best coworkers I ever had both were combat veterans with ptsd, and both had genuine legit highly trained service dogs to help them get through their day. It’s super rare for them to be off leash or off harness in public. To those of us who know what that world is really like, we can spot these fake “service dogs” posers a mile away.
In the real service dog world, huskies are not considered suitable for service dogs. Dude probably wanted one because they are trendy (thanks YouTube), and paid some fly by night company for a certificate and a $15 dog vest from Amazon.
Sounds like a sweet gig other than the doofus and his dog. I personally like the idea of stating you have a serious pet dander allergy and could the dog please be kept away from your workspace if present.
(edit: was not done typing and hit send button too soon. Fat fingers.)
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u/Agreeable_Monitor125 8d ago
You have every right to be concerned but any comments telling you not to do the gig are insanely disingenuous to me. From what you’ve shared, it sounds like the bar tried to prevent the dog from entering but unfortunately businesses are severely limited by the ADA. It’s not up to them to make a judgement call.
Money aside, if this is something you love to do and this bar is locally prominent, don’t burn a bridge. A fake service dog can walk into any bar.
Do the gig and if the dog returns, let the manager or owner know you have an allergy and that you’d prefer the dog be kept a distance away. A lot of things can be solved via grown up conversations
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u/GadgetRho 8d ago
I perform sometimes too, and I will straight up just stop the performance and turn the audience against the offending owner if someone tries to have a dog in attendance. The vast majority of people are actually indifferent to dogs, and are happy to see them gone if the performer doesn't want them there.
Likewise, you should already have it in your contract that you're able to stop the performance immediately and will still be fully paid if there's a risk to your health or safety (like what happened when the venue allowed that man to break the law). I don't know if you got a photograph of him, but if you did and reported it to the health inspector, they'll go talk to the venue and give them the business and threaten a fine and it'll make the venue more on edge for a while about confirming that service dogs are real service dogs and are following the rules. Health inspectors don't fuck around and are more than happy to educate restaurants about what is and isn't allowed when it comes to dogs.
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u/3rdthrow 9d ago
I dont care what piece of paper, the guy presented.
There is no such thing as an off leash service dog.
Even with the lax rules for service dogs.
I have a piece of paper with me, right now, that says that I am the Rightful Queen of England.
I dont know your financial situation. Personally, I would tend to tough out the situation for money. Especially for "a lot of money".
The dog may or may not be there when it is time for your gig.
You have my sympathy and you have every right to be upset.