Rottweiler service dog denied access to Sears

[frontierrots]

This was posted 2/5 and permission to crosspost was granted. Rain is an AKC CH, obedience titled guy who is also a registered service dog

A very good friend of mine, Paula Scherk, who is disabled and requires the use of a service dog, was asked to leave a Sears store in Colorado yesterday. Paula has been in a wheelchair for over 12 years. I was totally outraged when I talked to her last evening.

The manager of a Sears store demanded that she and her service dog, Rain (he's the brother of my dog, Ripley), leave the store immediately. When Paula pointed out to him that Rain was her SD and was covered by ADA, the manager became increasingly irate and verbally abusive. This manager did not listen to anything Paula told him. The manager even called her dog vicious - this is not even a word that would come to mind when describing Rain - he is so docile and so well trained (actually was one of the youngest dogs to ever be certified as an SD). Paula, although not required to, provided the manager with a copy of Rain's SD certification and the ADA regulations. The manager was completely disinterested and continued to demand she leave the store immediately.

Paula has been in these types of situations before and she immediately called the local police. The dispatcher stayed on the phone and recorded most of the confrontation. When the manager saw the police coming, he ran and hid in his office. The police confronted him and the manager was not in the least apologetic! Said that dogs were not allowed in Sears unless they were seeing eye dogs, and especially Rottweilers were not allowed in the store since they are known for their very bad dispositons. Hello! ADA applies to ALL service dogs, regardless of the needs of their person or the breed of dog.

Security and several Sears employees tried to reason with this manager before the police arrived - to no avail.

Paula has already contacted her attorney who is investigating the situation. She has many witnesses to the incident. We will be contacting the local media to broadcast this issue.

I am absolutely appalled that this manager was so ignorant about service dogs and the laws covering service dogs. Even when told about ADA regulations by Paula and store security, he continued to harangue Paula and tried to force her to leave. I would love to see a campaign to Sears to get this manager fired. He really should not be in this type of position.

Randi Bolton

[hokisteph5]

It sounds like the law is on Paula and Rain's side. I imagine the manager won't be fired, but will be disciplined. On the plus side, this sounds like it will be good PR for the breed if the local news does a story.

[Lola B Marie]

Wow, I had no idea rotties were even used as service dogs. I had a rottie therapy dog but most of the SD I have been in contact with were goldens and labs. One of my best friends has been in a wheel chair for 25yrs. When Sheena would visit (therapy dog) she would just lay her head in my friend's lap and spend the day like that except for water and treat breaks. I guess with proper training she could have become a SD.
I think Paula has a good case for a discrimination suit against sears. This comes under the disabilities jurisdiction and most of these lawers will take a case like this on a contingency basis. Sears is a huge group with lots of $$$$$
I hope your friend goes for it, How dare they be this rude to any customer especially in public. She had every right to be in the store with Rain!!!!!! Please keep us posted.
Jane

[moz205]

As my hubby owns a business, I have told him he must let a therapy/service dog in no matter what except for show of aggression. He knows it's the law whether he or his customers like it. Frankly, I have no problem telling customers to leave if they are uncomfortable around a dog although I have never run across this. We have had police dogs in and they are so well mannered. Other customers actually spent more time in our place! I wish hubby and son had their manners!

[JoJo]

There's a topic going in our BSL forum about a Pit who is a service dog in training being asked to leave a Wal Mart. I even posted that we as rottie owners need to take our dogs in (with a vest) to see what would happen. I guess I just got my answer!

Where's the National media when you need them? Oh I forgot, they are all around Brittney and Anna Nicole these days!

[Canadianrotti]

[quote=JoJo;734294] I even posted that we as rottie owners need to take our dogs in (with a vest) to see what would happen. I guess I just got my answer!
QUOTE]

This is a very dangerous idea unless you are a part of the registered SD group. The last thing we need is ANY bad press for the sake of "testing".

[moz205]

JoJo stated in another post that she was only kidding Canadianrotti. She is getting her point across about how anyone can buy a vest online and put it on their dogs regardless of temperment, training or need. She is definitely right about where the media is these days, enough about Brittney and her new hair do and let Anna Nicole rest in peace. There are more important issues these days other than how much Brittney's hair is selling for on ebay.

[Dugganmom]

Originally Posted by JoJo

There's a topic going in our BSL forum about a Pit who is a service dog in training being asked to leave a Wal Mart. I even posted that we as rottie owners need to take our dogs in (with a vest) to see what would happen. I guess I just got my answer!

Where's the National media when you need them? Oh I forgot, they are all around Brittney and Anna Nicole these days!

Very true! I cannot believe people! It just really makes me mad!

[JoJo]

Canadianrotts, I was being sarcastic.

What does one have to do if the certificates and the disability laws don't even mean a damn thing to these idiots?

[hokisteph5]

Originally Posted by JoJo

What does one have to do if the certificates and the disability laws don't even mean a damn thing to these idiots?

In the eternal words of comedian Ron White - "you can't fix stupid." If it was me, I think I would get tv coverage and sue, but necessarily in that order.

[moz205]

I smell a lawsuit and with good reason. There is ignorance all around us and it is not a defense in a lawsuit.

[Gunsey'sMom]

I am astounded! To me that is like closing an elevator door when you see a person with crutches approaching!!!!

People who are disabled and have SDs have obviously gone to the trouble of getting a SD. So one would think that they might need there dog maybe, huh? I cant believe after showing certificates and after law enforcement arrived that didnt change anything!!! I am glad you have an attorney involved. I am sorry your friend had to go through this, what an awful experience.

It is hard to say what will happen to that guy--he might very well get canned, as stories like that can be way more that SEARS wants to deal with. Stuff like this can blow up as big as you want it to get really.

Again, I am sorry Paula had to go through that. Maybe something positive for the breed will come out of this.

[StephanieandToby]

Well, I'm more passive-aggressive....Once it was established that the store manager was in the wrong...I'd be at Sears everyday...wheeling my chair slowly around his office area...pretending to shop.....then buying something like a pack of chewing gum....

[hokisteph5]

Originally Posted by StephanieandToby

Well, I'm more passive-aggressive....Once it was established that the store manager was in the wrong...I'd be at Sears everyday...wheeling my chair slowly around his office area...pretending to shop.....then buying something like a pack of chewing gum....

I had the same thoughts last night! Every day would be a good day to go to Sears.

[Gunsey'sMom]

Originally Posted by hokisteph5

I had the same thoughts last night! Every day would be a good day to go to Sears.

LOL! That's a hoot! I can picture that mananger with steam coming out of his ears!

I am still surprised at this- I worked in retail from ages 16-22 and it was always instilled in me that every customer should leave happy-because that customer tells at least 5 other people about their bad experience (or in this case a whole forum of people) an so on- and it turns people off to that store no matter where that store is.