Greyhound attacked by unregistered, untrained service dog

BOSTON — A Boston dog owner wants answers after her greyhound was attacked by an unregistered and untrained service dog.

Leslie Good said her 10-year-old retired greyhound racer Luxe was attacked on Wednesday night on Mass Ave by a dog who's owner claimed was a service dog.

Good said the dog's owner was giving Luxe and his dog a treat when the attack happened.

"The dog seemed to be okay and then suddenly his dog went after mine," said Good. "He grabbed the whole thing and it was in the dog's mouth and and the dog was shaking it and he was screaming and crying."

However, there is no record indicating that the alleged service dog was vaccinated nor is there any record indicating the animal had been registered with the city.

Immediately after the attack, Good took pictures of the dog and his owner and asked if the dog was vaccinated, only to be told the dog 'didn't need vaccinations.'

"He said, 'no, I just got out of the service - he's a service dog, he doesn't need vaccinations,'" said Good. "I said, 'no, it's the law, you have to have it.'"

Good brought her beloved companion Luxe to the MSPCA Angell emergency room where he got the treatment he needed, but the incident is bringing to light a dangerous lack of law preventing dog owners from falsely claiming their dogs are trained service animals.

Boston 25 News has been investigating the lack of regulation in emotional support animal ownership and so-called fake service animals. In just a couple of minutes, anyone can buy paperwork and a vest online.

"The fact that someone would think a service animal wouldn't have to be vaccinated is utterly ridiculous," said Cathy Zemaitis from NEADS World Class Service Dogs. "To then claim that this particular dog is a service dog is irresponsible. No legitimate service dog would ever attack another dog."

Legitimate service animal organizations like NEADS say service dogs don't even come with certificates or paperwork. NEADS, along with representative Kim Ferguson, have filed legislation to misrepresenting your dog as a service animal punishable by a fine.

"What you described happened is our biggest fear because dogs can be a weapon - these dogs shouldn't be in public at all, let alone being passed as service dogs," said Zemaitis.

Good said she flagged down a nearby police officer and an animal control officer is actively investigating the incident.

"It's not licensed in the city of Boston and that's from animal control, they confirmed that for me this morning and also his dog, per his words, was not vaccinated," said Good.

Good says all she wants is stiffer laws to protect all dogs and their owners.

"When you let people make their own decisions on regulation, it never goes well," said Good.

Trainer Martin Wright has been working with dogs for more than a decade, and believes every dog should have some form of training.

"I believe that they are needed and are necessary in society, but every dog that you're going to bring out in public needs to have training so that they can understand and follow directions of the owner," said Wright.

No charges have been filed in this case. Luxe has received a rabies booster and so far he seems to be recovering well.

Cox Media Group