Wisconsin plans $500 fines for fake service dogs, emotional support animal prescriptions

A new Republican-authored bill in Wisconsin aims to crack down on individuals who falsely claim their pets as service animals by imposing fines of $200 for the first offense and $500 for subsequent violations. The legislation seeks to align Wisconsin's definition of service animals with federal law, recognizing only dogs and miniature horses as legitimate service animals, and restricts other animals like peacocks, cows, and snakes from qualifying. The bill also tightens regulations on emotional support animals (ESAs) in housing, requiring landlords to accept a prescription from a licensed health professional and imposing fines on those who provide false prescriptions or on healthcare providers who prescribe ESAs without a minimum 30-day patient relationship. Advocates emphasize that fake service animals undermine the credibility and safety of trained service animals, but some lawmakers express concern about access to mental health care for those needing emotional support animals. The bill has been publicly discussed in hearings, highlighting the balance it seeks between protecting legitimate service animal users and addressing misuse that can affect businesses and property owners. Currently, Wisconsin lacks a state registry for service animals, complicating enforcement efforts, and the bill also mandates clearer signage for businesses to specify that only task-trained service animals are welcome.