Blind woman reveals shocking and foul-mouthed outburst of restaurant owner who refused to let her come in with her service dog
A blind woman has struck out at a restaurant after they refused to let her service dog in, while the owner also verbally abused her.
Carlyn White, who is legally blind and relies on her service dog Kuzco, says she was shocked when she was told she couldn’t enter an establishment with the dog.
White, from Mississippi, was trying to dine at Popwell’s Family Restaurant in Kokomo when she was denied entry.
Speak with WCAX, White said, “We’re starting to explain that he’s a service dog. You can’t refuse him, it’s illegal.’
Despite her protests, White said the restaurant staff member was “immediately rude” and said, “No dogs.” It does not matter.’
Carlyn White, who is legally blind and relies on her service dog Kuzco, says she was shocked when she was told she couldn’t enter an establishment with the dog
After speaking to the restaurant owner, they delved deeper into the matter and told her, “Come and get you a take-out plate and take your ass out to the yard and eat with your dog.”
White has now filed a complaint against the restaurant with the Department of Justice, which could cost up to $500.
She argues that Popwell’s rules violate the Americans with Disabilities Act, which requires service animals to be allowed to accompany their owners in public places.
Alison Patrolia of Hub City Service Dogs told the outlet that dogs should only be asked to leave if they are out of control.
Patrolia said: ‘A lot of barking, growling or causing more nuisance in public spaces.’
She added that federal law limits what facilities can ask you about a disability or their service dog.
‘The first is ‘Is this a service dog?’, the second is ‘what task does the dog perform for you?’.’
Jane Walton of Disability Rights Mississippi said, “These are animals that are on the clock.
White, from Mississippi, was trying to dine at Popwell’s Family Restaurant in Kokomo, seen here, when she was denied entry
“They’re trying to help the person they’re with. These dogs are well trained, so they’re not going to do anything.”
White is looking for people like the restaurant owner, who is still unidentified, to think before they act.
She added: “He could have muted the phone, searched Google, and he would have gotten the answer immediately.”
Angered by the call, her mother Melissa called the restaurant on social media and revealed that they had taken their business elsewhere.
Melissa wrote: ‘I don’t normally do this but my daughter was turned away from a local restaurant today because of her service dog and the owner even swore at me.
Her dog is trained to crawl under tables during meals. You never even know it’s there. I know some don’t know, but you CANNOT refuse a service dog.
“Oh and this is being reported. He told us to take our butts to the garden and eat with our dog. We were shouted at and told not to answer the phone.’
When asked for comment by DailyMail.com, a woman who said she was the owner said she had “nothing else to say.”