Gray area indeed! I believe that they should have been allowed in if their dogs were ignoring the goats... But what if the goats freaked out over the presence of strange animals? Hard to decide...
These women were out of line. Some times it's not about humans, some times it's about the well being of the animals. And in zoos, that should take precedence over the feelings of human visiters.
If the zoo offered to aid the women during the goat petting while having an area outside the petting zoo for the dogs to wait, then that would have been reasonable accomodations. In the circumstance, I think the women are being unreasonable.
I have and use a service dog as well. Unfortunately, I completely understand the zoo's position on this. No matter how well behaved the dog is, dogs are predators, and the animals in petting zoos are prey. What if one of the goats decides that the dog is a threat? Would these ladies want to lose their dogs just because they were attacked out of the blue by a goat in the petting zoo? I would have one hold the dogs while the other goes in, and then vice versa.
Gray area indeed! I believe that they should have been allowed in if their dogs were ignoring the goats... But what if the goats freaked out over the presence of strange animals? Hard to decide...
silverhowler999 4 months ago
These women were out of line. Some times it's not about humans, some times it's about the well being of the animals. And in zoos, that should take precedence over the feelings of human visiters.
captmicha 5 months ago
If the zoo offered to aid the women during the goat petting while having an area outside the petting zoo for the dogs to wait, then that would have been reasonable accomodations. In the circumstance, I think the women are being unreasonable.
phoenixgenesis 1 year ago
I have and use a service dog as well. Unfortunately, I completely understand the zoo's position on this. No matter how well behaved the dog is, dogs are predators, and the animals in petting zoos are prey. What if one of the goats decides that the dog is a threat? Would these ladies want to lose their dogs just because they were attacked out of the blue by a goat in the petting zoo? I would have one hold the dogs while the other goes in, and then vice versa.
BradleighSimms 2 years ago