Emotional Support Alligator?
How fudging the truth makes it harder for valid service dogs...
A week or so ago, Wesley Silva was booted out of Walmart for pushing his 5-foot long “emotional support alligator” around the store in a shopping carriage. The alligator, named, Jinseioshi, wore a lacy white skirt appropriate for her outing, perhaps even a little fancier than she needed. If an alligator can be cute, (and let’s face it, the point is debatable) Jinseioshi is in the running.
“I’ve been bringing her here for 3 1/2 years and no shoppers have had a problem with her,” Silva claimed.
Nevertheless, Walmart isn’t biting.
“The safety of our customers and associates is our highest priority,” said a Walmart spokesperson. “We welcome service animals in our stores, but it is unacceptable to expose members of the public to potential danger.”
I can count on one paw how many times I’ve taken the side of a shopping chain giant, but, in this case, Walmart has a point. It’s a stretch to call a 5-foot long alligator an emotional support animal. Does Silva hav…
