Motel Refuses Entry To Blind Man With Guide Dog.

[MarieC]

http://news.ninemsn.com.au/national/8455746/refusing-guide-dog-gutless-nsw-minister

A NSW Central Coast motel has been branded "gutless" for refusing entry to a blind man and his guide dog.

Jason Merkley, his wife and 14-month-old daughter were turned away from a motel at The Entrance over Easter.

The motel owner told Mr Merkley that his guide dog Whiskey wasn't allowed inside, ignoring protests that it was his legal right, News Ltd has reported.

NSW Disability Services Minister Andrew Constance confirmed that under the NSW Companion Animal Act refusing entry to a guide dog was illegal and could result in a fine of $880.

"It's a gutless act to refuse entry to a guide dog or a guide dog user into a venue," Mr Constance told reporters in Sydney.

I can't believe it.

It's 2012 and not only do we still hear about stories like this (and taxis refusing dogs) I do believe the number of cases are increasing.

These people really need to get with the program. Really makes me mad, I assume this family had to go looking for a new motel.

[GeckoTree]

Yep I hope they get ripped a new one.. As much as I hate the US way of litigation, something has to happen to get these tards to pull there heads in. like you say its 2012, well into the 21'st century.

Edited April 23, 2012 by GeckoTree

[minimax]

Also, what sort of a "punishment" is an $880 fine for the motel? Paying that is barley is going to teach them a lesson, if it's enforced (which it probably won't be).

[Chezy]

would be better to name and shame and shame so , let them really feel it on their bottom line

[Chris the Rebel Wolf]

would be better to name and shame and shame so , let them really feel it on their bottom line

That's it exactly, if there reputation suffers and they realize that customers are not going to support a place with such a stance, it will be a whole lot more meaningful than paying an $800 fine.

[BC4ME]

would be better to name and shame and shame so , let them really feel it on their bottom line

[WeimMe]

It never ceases to amaze me that people are so ignorant as to not understand that guide dogs are allowed anywhere that their owner goes. I think that perhaps there needs to be some kind of education program/TV campaign run as this sort of thing is cropping up more and more frequently now. A lot of the incidences I have heard about are cultural issues - people need to learn that guide dogs are exempt from normal restrictions on domestic animals and they do not have the right to refuse entry.

I agree - name and shame (and FINE!).

[minimax]

It never ceases to amaze me that people are so ignorant as to not understand that guide dogs are allowed anywhere that their owner goes. I think that perhaps there needs to be some kind of education program/TV campaign run as this sort of thing is cropping up more and more frequently now. A lot of the incidences I have heard about are cultural issues - people need to learn that guide dogs are exempt from normal restrictions on domestic animals and they do not have the right to refuse entry.

I agree - name and shame (and FINE!).

In NSW at the moment there are ads on the back of some taxi's that are about Guide Dogs and how they are allowed everywhere (with a picture showing a guide dog getting into a taxi). So there must have been enough issues to warrant that, and hopefully that will raise some awareness.

[Dame Aussie]

Bloody disgusting, and there is no excuse, if you are running a business, you need to know the law in relation to it.

I'd be telling EVERYONE where it was if I was involved.

[Chezy]

It never ceases to amaze me that people are so ignorant as to not understand that guide dogs are allowed anywhere that their owner goes. I think that perhaps there needs to be some kind of education program/TV campaign run as this sort of thing is cropping up more and more frequently now. A lot of the incidences I have heard about are cultural issues - people need to learn that guide dogs are exempt from normal restrictions on domestic animals and they do not have the right to refuse entry.

I agree - name and shame (and FINE!).

In NSW at the moment there are ads on the back of some taxi's that are about Guide Dogs and how they are allowed everywhere (with a picture showing a guide dog getting into a taxi). So there must have been enough issues to warrant that, and hopefully that will raise some awareness.

there was a incident a while back in Syd where a guide dog was refused into a taxi , so yes there is history , possibly similar situ as we have a lot of imigrsanst in taxis , who dont speak english well and dont know the the law about it obv, no excuse they should know IMO

[Maxiewolf]

I don't think anything works better than a name and shame policy, it hurts their reputation and their bottom line way worse than a little fine.

Imagine if someone set up a Facebook or a twitter group repeating all the names of Places, Companies etc who refuse Guide and Assistance dogs, soon you'd have business being afraid to be on this public list because it would come up in Google searches etc, so when someones looking for a place to stay... the last thing they want is their name to come up on a "These people Don't like Guide Dogs!" list.

ETA: Actually, Since it is LAW, and it is ILLEGAL to refuse entry, ask a person to leave etc. Because of their Guide Dog then I would be promoting that People faced with this situation simply stand there and go "That's Fine, I'm calling the Police because your breaking the law."

Edited April 26, 2012 by Maxiewolf

[Dogsfevr]

Yes it appalling BUT i also feel the fact some many non blind dog owners are constantly breaking the rules about sneaking dogs into places they shouldn't that business are getting feed up .

I actually now of someone who said they would act blind to get there dog into the hotel room ,that alone disgusted me .

Every day dog owners also need to lift there game & appreciate rules are there for all whether we like them or not

[Issy]

I'm quite sure that guide dogs have a pass or identification of sorts. Not sure how a person who isn't blind can get away with such a thing?

[Tempus Fugit]

For starters, one can easily buy a guide dog harness with rigid handle on eBay.

Identification and certification of service/ assistance dogs is a bit of a "dog's breakfast". The other day I observed a woman walking her dog through an indoor shopping mall. The dog was wearing a vest labelled "Companion Dog" - which it probably was. But that doesn't mean the handler has the same rights as the handler of a Service/ Assistance dog.

I'm quite sure that guide dogs have a pass or identification of sorts. Not sure how a person who isn't blind can get away with such a thing?

[zeebie]

I'm quite sure that guide dogs have a pass or identification of sorts. Not sure how a person who isn't blind can get away with such a thing?

Yes under the new Australian legislation all handlers of guide dogs and certified Assistance /service dogs now are issued with a government photo ID which has photo of owner and photo of dog on it, this must be produced if and when requested. :)

[zeebie]

For starters, one can easily buy a guide dog harness with rigid handle on eBay.

Identification and certification of service/ assistance dogs is a bit of a "dog's breakfast". The other day I observed a woman walking her dog through an indoor shopping mall. The dog was wearing a vest labelled "Companion Dog" - which it probably was. But that doesn't mean the handler has the same rights as the handler of a Service/ Assistance dog.

As per answer to Issy - government accredited training organisations notify disability services of paired dog and handler and then these people are issued with an official identity card which must be carried at all times and produced if requested, also ALL officially trained dogs wear distinctive apparel, guide dogs have specific harnesses and medallion on collar. Service dogs have specific coloured coat and very specific logo on coat these vary dependednt on training organisation but again no ID card no go, and "companion dogs" can be certified but not for anything outside of home ie they do not go into public venues such as shops etc. throughout Australia the various training organisations must meet strict criteria to be accredited by the government now and so there are only a few that are recognised hence if you look at the airlines you will see those organisations listed which the airline accept dogs from that can fly in the cabin.

Edited May 3, 2012 by zeebie

[zeebie]

I had the same issue when trying to book into a motel in Northern NSW , so rather then argue with the manager who stated he had recently taken over premises and while it was previously listed in the "Travelling with dogs "holiday guide he would be removing it as he did not agree with dogs in his motel and when I explained my dog was not a "pet" as he put it, but a working dog, he still stated that dog had to stay in car and would not be allowed in room. I explained to him as calmly as possible that we had been all over Australia and if the likes of the Stanford Plaza would allow my dog to sleep in his crate in the room then why not his "flea ridden" piddly little back woods motel! Upon that we left and on return home to Brisbane a formal complaint with the anti discrimination board of NSW was lodged. As far as I was informed the owner/manager received a letter of warning.

Strangely enough when travelling all over NZ not once did we have any difficulty whatsoever and were welcomed everywhere, most major cities in Australia not so much of a problem but as soon as we got a little off the beaten track it was very difficult and in many places - Tamworth in particular, and I would not think this was a small place, I had a major disagreement with a one of the huge shopping complex security staff who insisted we leave the building, upon showing him the ID card and a quite word to him regarding his part in paying the possible $50000 fine for discriminating against myself and dog now handed out by the government he backed off and apologised. Just when I thought we were safe to continue we were accousted by a little old lady with walking stick who tried to hit myself and my dog and screamed abuse at us for having a filthy creature in the shops, thankfully the same security gaurd came to my rescue and escorted this dear old dementia suffering local off to have her afternoon cuppa.

[zeebie]

this may be of interest to people on this topic I realise this particular site is QLD related but similar ones are available for other states.

http://www.communities.qld.gov.au/disability/key-projects/guide-hearing-and-assistance-dogs

[Dame Aussie]

I had the same issue when trying to book into a motel in Northern NSW , so rather then argue with the manager who stated he had recently taken over premises and while it was previously listed in the "Travelling with dogs "holiday guide he would be removing it as he did not agree with dogs in his motel and when I explained my dog was not a "pet" as he put it, but a working dog, he still stated that dog had to stay in car and would not be allowed in room. I explained to him as calmly as possible that we had been all over Australia and if the likes of the Stanford Plaza would allow my dog to sleep in his crate in the room then why not his "flea ridden" piddly little back woods motel! Upon that we left and on return home to Brisbane a formal complaint with the anti discrimination board of NSW was lodged. As far as I was informed the owner/manager received a letter of warning.

Strangely enough when travelling all over NZ not once did we have any difficulty whatsoever and were welcomed everywhere, most major cities in Australia not so much of a problem but as soon as we got a little off the beaten track it was very difficult and in many places - Tamworth in particular, and I would not think this was a small place, I had a major disagreement with a one of the huge shopping complex security staff who insisted we leave the building, upon showing him the ID card and a quite word to him regarding his part in paying the possible $50000 fine for discriminating against myself and dog now handed out by the government he backed off and apologised. Just when I thought we were safe to continue we were accousted by a little old lady with walking stick who tried to hit myself and my dog and screamed abuse at us for having a filthy creature in the shops, thankfully the same security gaurd came to my rescue and escorted this dear old dementia suffering local off to have her afternoon cuppa.

People are so shit

Edited May 4, 2012 by Aussie3

[Dxenion]

Zeebie, do you have a link to the new Australian legislation you mentioned? To my knowledge there isn't an Australia wide ID card (yet) and only Qld, SA and WA have state ID cards. NSW and VIC have an Assistance Animal Pass. All other ID cards are issued by the training organisation. The last time I checked, the Commonwealth Disability Discrimination Act doesn't make any mention of vesting or ID requirements, only that evidence must be produced on request that the dog is an assistance dog and is trained to an appropriate standard for working in a public place. No evidence - service can legally be refused. It does not say what form that evidence must be. The vesting and equipment requirements are set by the training organisations for their own dogs. Only the QLD Act requires dogs to display a badge but this only applies for dogs that have been recognised by the state authority.