New state bill increases penalties for service animal misrepresentation

BELLEVUE (NBC 26) — A new state bill aims to crack down on service animal certifications across Wisconsin.

Laws already on the books prohibit people from misrepresenting their pets, but this bill raises penalties for those that aren't getting their dogs like properly certified.

Stephany Rodriguez trains and certifies dogs who are working to become service animals.

She is the Facility Manager for Dog Training Elite Northeast Wisconsin and her standards for these dogs are high.

"If at some point your dog doesn't pass, your dog doesn't pass," said Rodriguez. "I'm not going to have one of our service dogs go out in public and act a fool. So, your dog will be well trained and certified through us."

But not everyone gets the proper training or service animal certification.

A new bill in th