Disabled Vet Thrown Out Of New Jersey Restaurant Because Of Service Dog
[su_right_ad]All businesses open to the public must allow service dogs in, but that was not the case at a Paterson, New Jersey Subway store.
Richard Hunter’s troubled life turned around in July when the U.S. Army veteran received a service dog from the non-profit group Dogs4Warriors. The 50-year-old suffers from severe Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).
“He realizes I’m having anxiety before I do,” Richard Hunter said.
WABC-TV’s Jane Wallace got bizarre answers when she went to the store to file her story.
When Eyewitness News found the manager, Mitul Ahmed, behind the counter he denied everything.
“You’re not Mitul Ahmed,” Wallace said.
“No, he’s not here,” Ahmed said.
Oh, and that sign on the door, suddenly changed. The line about service animals welcome was removed.
The owner’s son arrived, with a foot-long list of excuses.
“If he’s not going to say he made a mistake, that’s fine too, because I’m going to be the better person, you know, we both messed up, all right, we messed up more,” said Zaphir Pathan, the Subway owner’s son.
“How did he mess up by having a service dog and wanting to go into the store, I don’t understand that?” Wallace said.
“You’re completely twisting the situation, that’s funny,” Pathan said.
“If I go into that Subway with a service dog, will I be allowed in?” Wallace asked.
“You can go in right now because now we know,” he said.
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edmeyer_able September 9th, 2014 at 1:19 pm
Why the F can’t they do the right thing from the start, this has happened to too many veterans.
juicyfruityyy September 9th, 2014 at 2:04 pm
This sometimes, has to do with the customers. They are all Patriotic until it is time to help the Veterans.
jasperjava September 9th, 2014 at 2:10 pm
Sheer ignorance. These folks think a dog is a dog is a dog. No dogs allowed means no dogs allowed. A lot of people are unfamiliar with the concept of service dogs, especially if they aren’t seeing-eye dogs.
juicyfruityyy September 9th, 2014 at 2:00 pm
I have seen people being allowed to bring their dogs in stores that weren’t Service Dogs. Every public and business place that i know of. Have a sign that allow Service Dogs. This is allowed to other citizens, as well.
Judi Parmer Todd October 13th, 2014 at 5:38 pm
And just HOW do you know that their dogs are not service dogs? For one, you CANNOT legally ask them to prove it to you nor can you legally ask them what their disability is. Go read the laws about service animals. They are NOT always dogs. They could be miniature horses also.
MarcoZandrini September 9th, 2014 at 2:26 pm
I smell bulllllllllshit!
edmeyer_able September 9th, 2014 at 3:00 pm
Care to elaborate?
bpollen September 11th, 2014 at 7:34 am
Have you checked your shoes?
Teddy Simon September 9th, 2014 at 2:49 pm
Here is the problem I have with this . A while back there was a story about two service men not allowed into a restaurant because they wanted to bring in their dogs . Now after a lot of complaining from people I found out that one did see some actual combat the other was a pilot that hadn’t seen one single day of combat and was scamming the system .
edmeyer_able September 9th, 2014 at 3:29 pm
And because someone did this once we should just condemn every service man w/a dog?
Teddy Simon September 9th, 2014 at 3:38 pm
Did I say that ???
No you just read that into what I said , But the bigger question is , is this an actual service dog or a therapy dog . Therapy dogs are not covered under this law
Herb Sarge Phelps September 9th, 2014 at 3:50 pm
I am a disabled Vietnam Era Veteran and frankly I don’t see this as a veterans issue as much as a violation of the law on service dogs. It is a shame it happened to a veteran, but frankly the real problem is it was a service dog and no way they should refuse entry regardless of veteran or not.
edmeyer_able September 9th, 2014 at 4:07 pm
You should reread what you wrote, you brought up the possibility that someone was “scamming the system” leaving it open to interpretation by saying you had “a problem” with what happened in this instance. No more cookies for you.
Herb Sarge Phelps September 9th, 2014 at 4:29 pm
I hope you don’t get bogged down in the veteran part. The fact ANY person with a service dog being denied like that is wrong is the real problem. Being a veteran makes it more offensive, but the real crime is that ANY legal service dog is not allowed is the real problem.
edmeyer_able September 9th, 2014 at 4:31 pm
Nope not at all, I worked where a lot of people came thru w/service dogs, all were given the utmost respect no matter the circumstances.
Herb Sarge Phelps September 9th, 2014 at 4:38 pm
good because I am a disabled vet and am currently in the process of making my Canine Good Citizen certified dog a companion dog. However, even if I were not a veteran I would expect what my dog is certified for to be respected. Yes honorably discharged veterans should be afforded respect for their service, but also anyone who is entitled to benefits legal should be respected.
Herb Sarge Phelps September 9th, 2014 at 3:48 pm
I have gone through training with my dog for Therapy Dog and also checked into service dog and companion dog training. If a dog is certified as a service dog it doesn’t matter who the person the assigned is, he/she has every legal right assigned. Your example has no real meaning as to those people being denied entry with their service dogs.
Judi Parmer Todd October 13th, 2014 at 5:34 pm
You are misunderstanding what a ‘Service” dog is. It has nothing to do with whether or not the owner was in the service, SERVICE means the DOG does a service for the human to make his/her life easier. It could be a hearing dog, seeing eye dog, or a dog that makes sure the person stays calm in certain situation. Someone with high anxiety can have one. I myself do. My dog senses when I am about to have a panic attack, and begins licking my face and calming me down. She is an “official’ service dog.
Teddy Simon October 15th, 2014 at 12:51 pm
No I am not misunderstanding what a service dog , I was stating that the guy lied , he did not have PTSD , he had no combat service , but using it to get money out of the service and government , when there are people that have real needs . I think if restaurants are required to serve people with service dogs there should be a special place for them to be seated , I don’t care to eat with dogs , so I guess my right don’t matter right .