service dog barred...

[TheSHAD0W]

1. Girl barred from bringing service dog into store.

2. Store manager apologizes, sends gift card, invites girl to store again.

3. Girl returns to store with gift card.

4. ...Guess what happens next?

http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/edmont...rvice-dog.html

[Mytical]

Ok they made a mistake, and tried to correct it, good for them. Except, then they do the exact same thing? Isn't one of the signs of insanity doing the same thing and expecting different results?

[ellie]

Pretty crappy of the store to refuse a dog who has a special harness on it. You would think that after the first time, there would be a "training" on how to spot a service dog.

I don't know if the rules are different in Canada, but in our store if someone comes in with an animal, we can't even ask if it's a service animal. We have to assume that the animal is "working" and we can't discriminate. Even that weirdo who comes in with his mangy mutt on a rope, we can't say a word to him.

However, I felt the mother saying "We've been bullied" to be a little over the top. It wasn't like the workers at the store called the kid at home and yelled at her or went to her house and called her names. Not letting someone into a store based on ignorance is not bullying, just bad service. Sorry if it's a little off subject, but I really hate it when someone cries "bully" when someone else does something they don't like. No, sorry, wrong, bullying is relentless, non stop, verbal, emotional and/or physical abuse. Bullying is not "sorry we are assholes and you can't come in with your dog." </off topic rant>

[fireheart]

Down here, we can usually tell if it's a service animal. Guide dogs normally have the harness and the hearing dog I've seen around occasionally has a vest on it that says "Hearing animal". (Guide Dogs have their own company, hearing dogs are provided through the Lion's Club I think)

[LewisLegion]

Ellie, LEGALLY (if you are in the USA) you ARE allowed to ask if it's a service animal. You are allowed to ask that, and ask what service it provides. Your work's policy may say you can't ask but the law says you CAN.

However, you cannot ask for proof, documentation, or ask for the person's medical condition. If you ask if it's a service dog and the person says yes, you must respect that and allow them access. If at ANY point, however, the dog is not under control (barking, growling, threatening other customers, being disruptive) you can ask them to leave. Even if it's a blind man with an obvious guide dog...if the guide dog is disruptive and unruly, you can ask them to leave.

[Peppergirl]

This would be a great topic for fratching. Too contentious for over here, though.

Closed.

Please feel free to repost at http://www.fratching.com


Thanks!

[DGoddessChardonnay]

I think this thread really should go to Fratching.

*closing thread*