Is that Buyer ready, willing, and able?  Do they have a signed agency agreement with me?  Do they have proof of funds or pre-approval letter?  If yes, then I have no choice about their dog or other animal.   If I refuse, they will come after me with lawsuits over ADA, Fair Housing, who knows what else.

You can't, since now they added comfort animals as well ( and some other categories). Well, it is the case by case, since the owner of the house can be allergic for pets and I'd ask to consider to leave their loved dog outside for a few minutes. 

Fortunately I have not crossed this mine field yet.

Absolutely - I've actually had this happen and the buyer was incredibly conscious of the sellers' needs. She had someone come with her and stay on the front porches of the homes she was touring, with the dog. 

I never had that happened.

Agree with Fred Griffin + a degree of trust and intuition 

I honestly think this "service dog" thing is getting out of control!

My only situation(so far) with a client with a service animal was a seller --- I'm not sure I can tell the difference between a pet and a service/support animal.  I think most people are aware of boundaries...personal and otherwise.   

I've actually never had to deal with this situation and have never had a client claim theirs was a service dog, so I've never had to make a decision.

I don't typically have a problem with pets or kids as long as they are kept under control.

Here is more information about service dogs 

https://youtu.be/U9PqaaIBjq0

I would contact the listing agent and inform them of the dog and get permission first.  The selles could have an allergy from dogs.

Fortunately this has never come up, though, I have had people with regular pets along whom I told they couldn't take in.  However, I think this is a very good questions and perhaps we should know the anwer before it actually happens.  I think I would have to insist on notifying the listing agents and clearing it first....  may not be the right anwer according to the strictest sense of the law but I feel its a basic matter of respect for the home owner.

It's not come up for me but it can be a sticky situation. I would alert the listing agent.

Interesting question. I have never encountered that situation. I would clear it with the listing agent first.

I'd rather have a well behaved dog than kids!  Like Fred Griffin said, if we make that call, we're opening ourselves up to ADA, Fair Housing and HIPAA lawsuits (don't dare ask for "proof" or what type of support!).

I have only had the issue once with a dog that did not have a vest, the lady carried the dog through the home as she lived alone with the dog, the dog had a say in their next home she said

Agents and home sellers need to be prepared for these rare situations.

That's never come up!

I haven't had to deal with this situation. I would hope if buyers came with a service animal, that I would know ahead of any showings so I could clear the way with the seller/agent.

I talked to a retired detective. It is not legal to ask for proof at public places. Most are fake.

Absolutely if it's a "service dog" which is covered by the Americans with Disabilities Act. By law, they can go anywhere their "person" goes. These are not considered "pets". I know some people abuse this by making the animal look like a service animal, which I think is vile. People with disabilities have enough to deal with.

Debbie,

I think Fred Griffin    made a good point, and yesterday at Trader Joes, I noticed a support creature.  The dog looked like it needed support, but he had a support coat on him, and the woman with him  was old and shuffling with her daughter who was filling her cart...It was a sad scene, and I think telling of the times we live in.  A

I would only allow it for someone that's blind to help them maneuver. It would be pretty obvious (usually). I would be pretty lenient but then there are just too many nuts out there carrying around their 'pocket pooches'.

there are sellers who would be very upset about that.... some do not have animals in their homes.... someone should stay outside with the animal...

If they are service dogs, you cannot say 'NO' to best of my knowledge.

With the current laws, we don't have a choice, and sad, as some homeowners hav serious pet allergies.

No one has ever asked.  I've had "pets" go on showings and I do not allow them in the home.  One person can look while someone else stays outside with the pet.  What if the owner is allergic?  I also have allowed pets to stay at my office while other agents are showing to people with pets.  But no one has yet to claim their "service" animal needs to go on showings.

Excellent question, I had it happen to me in spring and I am sure it was a pet and not a service dog bog I allow it.

Not encountered a service dog situation yet. As for cuddly pets, they stay outside!

I have not been in that situation but if it is a service dog, they generally wear a vest displaying the fact they are service dogs.  I cannot by law refuse them entry... same as renting an apartment where the  landlord says "no pets"... It's again the law to refuse them.

I have not had to make that choice yet, BUT I'm still trying to figure out how a Pitbull is a service animal... I saw one in a local big box store with the tag.

You can buy these tags on the internet now for $5

What if it's a service pig or service pony?  I believe you can't ask for proof, but can a seller ask that the pony wears a diaper?

We recently did and the seller had no problem with it. 

It's not up to me to allow or not allow, it's the homeowners decision to make.

I have no problem if they are behaved and on a leash. A true service dog would be.

Great question Debbie! Comon Sense should always prevail. There is a solution to every issue. If the seller agrees, you are good to go. 

What if the seller is deathly allergic to animals? This is the sellers home. A better solution is to have someone wait outside with the service animal. Some states do require service animals to be registered. Some state make the owner's animal wear a smock that states service animal (or something similar)!!

Good question.

Never had this type of situation, but it's a good queston Debbie!

When I run into this, I let the buyers know I will need additional time to get the OK from the listing agents/sellers.  Typically, they then will leave the animal at home or in the car.

Thankfully that has not been an issue  .... yet.  There is no way for me to tell unless the dog is a seeing eye dog. 

Service animals should have proper certificates. Can't refuse them.

Here's the thing about this subject-matter. They can accompany any buyer-agent. But in the end, that does not matter. What matters is the notice to the sellers and their specific permission. Buyers are guests at a seller's property.

None are allowed in my vehicle.

I've only dealt with it once and they were told that some homeowners were allergic and asking no pets to be present so the dog could wait on the porch or in the client's car. It's a sensitive area though as some folks use it to sue for discrimination. Luckily it just rarely to never has come up for me.

Animals, called pets, have more rights and protections than many human beings that exist in a city near you.

On this issue I've got to take  a knee.

The benefit of the doubt for this subject goes to the people who say it is so