Red Bear

Tango44, I hate to say it, but this is very common and has happened to a 100% disabled vet friend of mine at a grocery store - and the service dog was even wearing a "vest" with all of the correct information - within the last month.

It's the same with "handicapped" access doors - I often have to stand aside or wait while (apparently) able bodies people use them so that they don't have to "push" and I am visibly disabled. Funny thing is, the ADA would allow me legal redress, but I never bother; I just wait.

Bill Houghton Loc: New York area

I have just reviewed the tape, again, please go to the 5.30 min mark and listen again, the police even tried to explain the law to the hotel management staff, and they would have nothing to do with them or his dog. I guess the only recourse was to give them citation and let the justice system do it's thing.

TedPaul Loc: Madison, MS

Bill, the following lawsuit would give them an abundantly clear understanding, if in fact, it was a needed service dog.

toma1940 Loc: Silicon Valley, CA

An injury or disability is oftentimes NOT visible. Take the time to read the ADA before commenting.

diensthunds

Woaaaaaahhhhhh!!!!! STOP RIGHT THERE!
Not all injuries are obvious! The number of veterans returning from combat with TBI (Traumatic Brain Injuries) has skyrocketed in the last several years. So has the number of veterans with double lower extremity amputations that have received prosthetic limbs. (Meaning they have lost all or part of their legs). While wearing long pants and a regular pair of sneakers or boots it can often be next to impossible that the individual has prosthetic limbs on. However it can be difficult for them to walk like they did before, and or move or accomplish certain task. Yes, this qualifies as a disability. Look up the definition if you question this. Yes, they could have a service dog and no you may never know they have a disability.
This old "You aren't blind so you aren't disabled..." way of thinking is BULLSHIT and needs to stop! NOW!. Just because the clerk or the manager didn't see the individuals disability does not mean they can obviously assume the person doesn't have one.
What they should have done is asked politely and with as little public fan fare as possible. "Is that a service dog?" and "Do you have a disability?" along with "Is the dog specifically trained to assist you?" because guess what, under the ADA laws those are the only three questions the business can ask!
Defending the clerk and the manager makes about as much sense as saying a dark skinned Hispanic person that was killed during the race riots of the 60's or 70's had it coming because they weren't obviously white.
Remember that veteran received his injuries serving this country and that includes the stupid ass individuals that treat him like shite because they are ignorant. I wouldn't have blamed him one bit if he would have drug the dumb clerk over the counter and beat the living hell out of her!
Next time you want to "defend" people like the clerk and the manager remember, you may end up encountering a vet with a service dog one day.
As to the "possible" misdemeanor charges, possible? POSSIBLE? are you freaking kidding me? The ADA laws are VERY SPECIFIC, ...any business that opens it doors to the general public must allow an individual with a service dog to enter, and or provide the same services... telling the veteran that he couldn't have a room because he had a service dog, ..."Service dog or whatever. Dog is dog," said motel owner Bina Patel.... is a clear violation of the ADA laws. If the local doughnut eaters and corrupt judges / prosecuting attorney won't get up and defend the veteran and punish the hotel owner and her staff then it's high time that the Department of Justice start stepping in and enforcing the federal law!
And NO, the system DIDN'T work, if it had the veteran wouldn't have been subjected to the treatment he was given. If the system had worked he would have been asked a few simple questions, answered them, and not have been told he couldn't have a room because of his service dog. Instead the system was so broke that the police had to do what the business owner should have done. Known the law, addressed the situation in an appropriate manor and acted correctly.
It's not unreasonable that the veteran did not take the dog in to begin with, the dog could have been in the vehicle resting, or getting some water. No service dogs are NOT on duty 24/7, they are given down time to relax and unwind by their handlers. Do you ask individuals that "claim" they are disabled because they have epileptic seizures "So you say you are disabled but I don't see you having a seizure right now, sure you aren't faking this?"
No you don't. So when somebody says they are a veteran and they require a service dog you do what you are supposed to, ask the 3 questions I stated earlier, and sit down and shut the hell up! You want to question the integrity of somebody that served? Then you go live in his shoes, go to a foreign country where the majority of the population wants to but a bullet in your head, get rocked by an IED or a RPG, suffer from injuries, come home, try and adjust to a life that is very different from one you used to have and have people treat you like a liar and a sneak and see how YOU like it.
///end rant.

TedPaul Loc: Madison, MS

Civil suit with possible punitive damages would really sting.

Red Bear

I thank you very much for this post. You have said things clearly and directly and done a much better job of it than I could ever hope to... :thumbup: :thumbup: :thumbup:

Smokey Here

HAHA not surprised at all this is why I only frequent [b]covenience[/] stores owned by [u]americans

diensthunds

Red if that's you in the picture you have then it's me that should be thanking you. I wouldn't have the benefits I have today and the services through the VA if it weren't for the Vietnam Veterans. Those vets were treated like shite when they came home. They were disrespected and spit on for doing nothing more then what their country asked of them to do. And by asked I mean many of them were TOLD to go do it. I on the other hand volunteered, I willing went to do it so others wouldn't have to. And as long as I have breath in my lungs and can form words I'll be dammed if I'm going to let somebody treat any veteran like this guy was treated.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

We have that hospital traininjg offered often in this area. I know people who have done it, and some whose dogs were not accepted - too enthusiastic.

GeneB Loc: Chattanooga Tennessee

You need to rethink and rewrite the last sentence. It is a huge consequence. So I am hoping you meant nothing negative by what you said.

mikedidi46 Loc: WINTER SPRINGS, FLORIDA

I live in Orlando and I will send a letter to this Motel and let them know the Veterans in CF will boycott this Motel and we will get the word out.

crissx09 Loc: FL-USA

After all this large discussion I have a question: Does a veteran carry an ID that state specifically he is disable and need the assistance of a dog..? I think with proper ID couldn't be any base for arguments like this. The hotel owner will follow the law...or else and the chance of a fake disable veteran eliminated. This simple.............What has to do Patel or Daytona Beach in this situation other than show the low biased mind of the one who mention it...?

Tango44 Loc: Kentucky

Agreed!
:thumbup: :thumbup: :thumbup:

diensthunds

They might if they wish, ADA laws don't require it though. There is no requirement for the Veteran (or any individual with a service dog) to ever carry any sort of documentation, identification, medical records or otherwise, nor is there any requirement for the service dog to have any sort of identification on it, vest, tags, etc. The reason you see most service dogs wearing a vest is a pre-emptive attempt to stop things like this from happening, that and so that people know that the dog is working and that they shouldn't be approached and petted or played with.
Look at it this way, if you are going to require documentation of disability, what sort of documentation are you going to require? Photo id? Who issues it? What form does it follow? Is it something nation wide or left up to the states or cities or hospitals to issue? The id would have nothing more then the persons picture, and perhaps name, a statement that they are disabled and that's it. Remember ADA laws do NOT require a disabled individual to disclose what their disability is. That is covered under HIPA as a private information matter.