This is in response to Mike Rock’s letter, “Only service dogs should be allowed in grocery stores,” (Feb. 22, Page A4).

My beloved Bandit, whom I sadly had to euthanize at the age of 12, was a true service dog. I invested considerable time and money into his training and certification. Unlike the growing number of pets whose owners simply buy a vest online and bring them into places where only registered service animals belong, Bandit was the real deal.

Because my dog was properly registered, he carried insurance that covered him in the unlikely event he ever bit someone. A fake service dog has no such coverage, leaving both the owner and the public at risk. I watch a lot of “Judge Judy,” and she comes down hard on owners of unruly dogs, handing out hefty fines for a reason.

Bandit was also a registered therapy dog. Many of you may remember him from Katie’s Kitchen, where we volunteered as greeters. Everyone loved him — especially the children. When he wore his therapy vest, I welcomed and encouraged people to pet him.

To those who pass off their pets as fake service dogs: please, take them to the dog park — not to Walmart.

Judi Baglier,

Butler