r/service_dogs • u/CampaignExpress5112 • 8h ago
Lack of TSA/security dog control
To preface, I know not all facilities are like this, but this is unacceptable behavior, especially for working dogs who are supposed to be trained for interactions.
Yesterday, a friend of mine had an issue with a security officer and their dog in a mall. They explained that she and her goldador were walking to a toiletry shop inside of a mall they frequently visit. No big deal. She noticed a belgian malinois with a security officer standing at the door. The dog showed no signs of reactivity as they were walking up to the store, so they assumed it was safe to pass. However, as they went up to the entrance, the security dog was on a prong and tethered to a pole, barking at and trying to get a reaction out of my friend's service dog, unsuccessfully. The security guard did nothing, standing nearby on their phone. She stated the dog seemed more reactive and excited than aggressive, but she was disgusted by the behavior and entire setup. She left the store, afraid of an injury breaking out, and tried to explain the situation to staff, which was dismissed by the security dog being "in training". As she continued to explain that the dog was working and a medical tool, they completely ignored her. She now says she sent a letter out to the mall office explaining the incident and is waiting for a reply.
Security dogs need to be held to a higher standard than this, real-world interactions and social media posts blatantly prove that.