Posted on 06/26/2014 9:01:26 AM PDT by Marie
It is a shameful act of discrimination for a business to turn away someone who returned home after being at war with battle scars that cannot be visibly seen. But, that’s precisely what happened to one veteran while vacationing in Florida. Not only is it an act of discrimination, but also what this hotel, and many others, did to this veteran is against the law. (Watch Video at the link)
Former Army Sgt. Robert Price simply wanted to find a place to sleep while he was on vacation in Daytona Beach, FL. He was not alone. He had with him his trusty companion and service dog, Walker. After serving in the Middle East and facing bomb attacks for years, Price developed post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Walker’s job is to assist him when in need. He is an official service dog with the proper identifying vest and paperwork. But, that didn’t matter to the desk clerk, Bina Patel, at the Budget Inn. She told Price that his dog was not allowed, and said she would call the police on him for having a dog on the premises when he wouldn’t leave.
As you can see in that video, the clerk was quite rude and cold with how she treated this veteran. But, it was even worse than what this video shows. The clerk did call the police on Price, accusing him of being an American criminal for having a dog on the property. After police arrived, Price explained the situation to them. They attempted to educate Patel on the law and the fact that she cannot turn him away. She still refused to rent Sgt. Price a room.
Going above and beyond the call of duty, one of the police officers escorted Sgt. Price to numerous hotels in an attempt to help him get a room. Curiously, every single one said they were completely booked until they got to LaQuinta Inn, which welcomed Sgt. Price and his dog Walker with open arms.
WFTV has a full interview with Sgt. Price during which he recounts what happened and says, surprisingly, this is not the first time he has had the experience of being turned away because of his service dog, Walker. However, it is the first time he was called a criminal and had the police called simply because of the presence of his service dog Walker. Patel is facing a possible misdemeanor charge, which could include a fine and jail time, for breaking the Florida law by refusing service and turning away a disabled individual and their service dog.
(watch full interview at the link)
If Obama had more daughters they would......
The hotel industry in this country is being taken over by immigrants from Pakistan, and India. This hotel is likely owned by a muslim, hence the “No pets’ policy.
The name Patel figures prominently in ADA complaints issued against motels and hotels.
They always lose.
“Sadly, this happened to my son as well. He has a service dog to help with his PTSD and he’s been shown the doors by establishments in and around San Antonio.”
What establishments in San Antonio? This is probably the most veteran friendly town in the country. If there is a problem with an establishment, please let me know.
I’m on the warpath and have no problem going twitter on them. The place will be out of business within a week.
Yes it is a clear violation and one that the owner of the establishment always loses when a complaint is filed with DOJ.
The owner can also be sued for discrimination in civil court.
The manager will go stupid on them. That’s the standard.
“I had no idea. He didn’t say it was a service animal. I could not understand his accent. I thought he asked for the cash register. I do not understand English very well. I love the President Obama. I wasn’t even there when it happened. That was my twin who goes by the same name”.
Yeah, maybe the soldier should have followed Joe Biden’s advice: “Anytime nowadays if you want to check into a Budget Inn you have to have slight Indian accent.” Oh, my mistake, that was “7-Eleven!” : )
I think Patel must be the Indian translation of Smith. They’re everywhere.
I did see an update wftv.com (Channel 9) that said “On Wednesday, she (Patel) told Channel 9 she was sorry for turning Price away, saying she didn’t know about the law and vowed it would never happen again.”
She apparently will continue to be a beyotch,,but now she’ll be one legally. No apologies for her attitude.
Pisses me off... Goddamn foreigners need to just LEAVE...
The Patel family, or just people named Patel own half the motels in the USA, it seems like.
Many adapt, offer what Americans want and send their kids to college to major in business or hospitality whereupon they return to the hotel/hotels and the quality and customer service get better with the education.
Others though come from India, are dirt poor, lack education and buy whatever hotel they can afford once they pay their ‘debt’ to the family member that brought them over. They then will typically continue in the ‘old ways’ until something happens to change that. I met thousands of hotel owners doing QA for 10 years where I had to inspect 8 hotels a week. The differences between the first example and the second were just appalling.
Next time you are at Costco and are in line when one them attempts to break in front of you; just run your shopping cart over their foot, say “Excuse me, I am sorry” and cut right back in to your original place. It works for me in a place I won’t mention because there are so many rude people there; you have to learn defense.”
Good move! You can also imagine their chagrin when in a loud voice you say, “Just where the hell do you think you are going, this is America where we always wait our turn!”
On a related matter, right after voting a few years ago, one of our judges, who was standing for reelection to the bench, cut in front of us at the supermarket, saying” you don’t mind if I cut in do you?” To which I replied, “no your honor, but you should know that I just voted against you.” He lost the election!!!
Marie, I worked (until 2012 layoff) for the corporation that franchises Days Inns among other brands for 10 years. They have 12 brands total. I did QA at all their brands and as I wrote in an earlier post, 70% of all hotel owners in this country are from India. Days Inn is typical, but not up to 90% (yet).
As for Budget Inn’s CEO being on Undercover Boss, there is no franchise called Budget Inn. There is a Budget Host, but it’s not the same. Many people just pick the name Budget Inn because it sounds like it would be a good deal.
Here is a list of all the Undercover Boss episodes and one did have Choice Hotels CEO, which may be what you are remembering Toothfairy86.
Not trying to be rude or ‘call you out’, just trying to educate people.
A job well done and pat on the back to the police officers for their deed in helping the vet find a place and LaQuinta for taking him and his dog in.
To the motel clerk(s) who refused him; ESAD.
We always book at La Quinta if we are traveling with our dog. They are very pet-friendly.
I didn’t take anything that you said as rude! :)
So it’s not a franchise? Please clear it up for me.
(And the list you referenced didn’t post)
Is the Patel family taking over all the hotels and motels in the country? On a trip out west last year, I stayed in several motels run by Patels. Is this a vast plot by the Patel clan? (snicker)
You got that right.
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