Posted on 09/13/2014 2:38:18 PM PDT by walford
PATERSON, NJ -- A disabled veteran was thrown out of a fast food restaurant because of his service dog.
The incident itself is troubling enough, but you won't believe what happened after the Eyewitness News investigators arrived at the restaurant to demand answers.
It's one of the most bizarre exchanges Eyewitness News has ever had on a story. Federal law is very clear: Dogs are recognized as service animals and all businesses open to the public, including restaurants, must allow them in.
But a U.S. Army veteran says a Subway restaurant in Paterson, New Jersey, blatantly ignored the law, and now, he's determined to send them a message in court.
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.
*video*
So, it was a big deal when Hunter finally took his son and a coworker to lunch a few weeks ago at a Subway restaurant in Paterson, New Jersey.
"This was huge to go out with my son for the first time in over ten years," Hunter said.
The sign on the door seemingly said it all: "Service animals are welcome," but Hunter claims the manager, later identified as Mitul Ahmed, said something very different.
"I may have been holding the door when he first said something. He said, 'The dog is not allowed in here. Get the dog out of here,'" Hunter said.
"He was clearly identified as a service animal," Eyewitness News Investigative Reporter Sarah Wallace said.
"He was wearing what he has on right now," Hunter said. "I said he was a service animal."
"He didn't care," Wallace said.
"That's exactly what he said, 'I don't care,'" Hunter said.
Hunter called the cops who said they couldn't do anything. He then called the owner.
"The owner told me straight up: 'I can refuse service to anyone I want,'" Hunter said.
That's when Hunter reached out to disability rights attorney Robert Tandy.
"No food establishment can refuse entry to a service animal," Tandy said.
"Plain and simple," Wallace said.
"Simple as that," Tandy said.
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.
*video*
Now, Guess what? Ahmed is still working and still in denial.
"You weren't here," Wallace said.
"No," Ahmed said.
"So, you're ok having him work for you when he lied?" Wallace asked.
"Who doesn't lie when they don't want their case thrown under the water?" Pathan said.
"OK, my goodness," Wallace said.
"I was just looking for an apology. I was just looking for an apology that you're wrong," Hunter said. "Now, I'm afraid to go out. I'm having anxiety even to go to the corner store now."
They probably spit in that.
If I was the regional manager of Subway I would pull their franchise TONIGHT!
M.U.S.L.I.M.S.
#1. This ‘restaurant’ should get lots of unwanted publicity about this, on tv, facebook, twitter, etc.
#2. The vet. needs to take his business elsewhere. He did the right thing bringing this injustice to light. Meanwhile, life is short, find a better place to dine with your son, but call first.
#3. Adult Chihuahuas are ALWAYS shaking when standing still. Hyperactive? Hypothermic? Psychotic? No one really knows.
I’m quite sure they’ll name Subway corporate in the suit. This guy will get paid, and so will his lawyer.
Which is fine by me.
You gotta hit them where it hurts and in the pocketbook it hurts.
LOL. Point well made.
Within about a twenty year spanse of time Mrs. RQSR, and myself had occasion to go into a Subway store while out shopping. We’d get hungry, and there’d be a Subway in our face so we’d try to get something to eat. Three different occasions, three different stores throughout Southern California we tried to get something to eat. We’d walk in, and it would be the same every time. Four to five employees gathered in an area behind the counter, always at the far end away from the service area talking, apparently joking amongst themselves. They saw us come in the door, and each time they ignored us, and kept on talking amongst themselves.
Being a rather brash individual I raised my hand, and shouted we’d like to order some sandwiches, but in each case no response other than a quick glance to see about my noise. We walked out.
Finally about seven years ago we happened to be in San Marcos, and the only place to eat around there was a Subway. We laughed, and said what the ‘H’, let’s try it again. We were served, enjoyed the meal, and were on our way. Only took about twenty years, and three to four tries to get a sandwich out of Subway. Haven’t been back since, and then we discovered Subway was on some list of supporters of Liberal causes we very much disagree with. Won’t go back ever. Not even to San Marcos.
Yeah..there's the real reason they hate them.
Dogs can see their black hearts for what they truly are.
He should have brought in a sexy service goat.
As would I!
It’s not really a service animal.
Sorry.
I don’t know if this is the same guy, but there was some guy I saw at Dulles airport with a dog. Soon after there was a news report about the vet with PTSD with his service dog at Dulles playing the victim for something.
Your posts are right on.
http://www.danielpipes.org/comments/120729
(from Sahih Muslim, Book 024, Number 5246)
“A’isha reported that Gabriel (peace be upon him) made a promise with Allah’s Messenger (may peace be upon him) to come at a definite hour; that hour came but he did not visit him. And there was in his hand (in the hand of Allah’s Apostle) a staff. He threw it from his hand and said: Never has Allah or His messengers (angels) ever broken their promise. Then he cast a glance (and by chance) found a puppy under his cot and said: ‘A’isha, when did this dog enter here? She said: By Allah, I don’t know He then commanded and it was turned out. Then Gabriel came and Allah’s Messenger (may peace be upon him) said to him: You promised me and I waited for you. but you did not come, whereupon he said: It was the dog in your house which prevented me (to come), for we (angels) do not enter a house in which there is a dog or a picture.”
Also; Sahih Muslim, Book 024, Number 5248:
“Then on that very morning he commanded the killing of the dogs until he announced that the dog kept for the orchards should also be killed, but he spared the dog meant for the protection of extensive fields (or big gardens).”
My interpretation is that mohammad hated dogs because they barked and alerted the villagers and tent-dwellers to the approaching gang of mohammad and his raiding parties. The story about an illusionary angel is typical of mohammad’s cunning. He simply wanted to eliminate the alarm system of his intended victims.
This.
Kinda like handicapped placards. When was the last time you saw someone parking in a handicapped spot that actually used a wheelchair?
Ha ha ha. This is so funny.
Ahmed = muzzy = dog hater + US veteran hater + infidel hater
Was the dog badged and the owner carrying his service status?
First of all why would a muzzy be working at a Subway, they serve pork?
There are many handicapped people who don’t use a wheelchair. Don’t judge people just because you can’t “see” their handicap.
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