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“Isn’t That Like A $60K Fine?”: Customer At Restaurant Is Asked To Leave As He Has Service Dog
Ever notice how some TikTok videos are like opening a can of worms? One minute you’re scrolling through catchy dance challenges or adorable pet videos, and the next, you’re deep in a heated debate about federal law.
Well, that’s exactly what happened when one TikToker shared his unexpected showdown with a restaurant manager over his service dog. What started as a simple dining experience quickly turned into a fiery online debate about federal law and disability rights.
More info: TikTok
RELATED:
Man with PTSD is refused service at restaurant because of his service dog, posts a video of his interaction with the manager on TikTok
Image credits: k9trainunit
Image credits: k9trainunit
“We don’t allow dogs in here”: restaurant manager tells customer with PTSD to take his service dog out of the restaurant
In the viral clip, which has racked up over 1M views, the TikToker found himself in an argument with a manager at a restaurant charmingly called Community Pie. The TikToker, who relies on a service dog, was simply trying to enjoy a meal inside the establishment. However, the manager, sticking to what he believed were the restaurant’s policies, insisted that dogs, service or not, were only allowed on the patio.
“We don’t allow dogs inside, no matter what,” the manager declared. The TikToker, clearly well-versed in the rights of service animals, pushed back, stating that the restaurant was violating federal law.
Image credits: k9trainunit
“You’re violating federal law”: the man knows his rights and informs the manager that he is breaking the law by refusing to serve him
For those who aren’t familiar, service dogs are protected under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). This means businesses must allow service animals almost anywhere the public can go, regardless of any ‘no pets’ policy. As the law states, “service animals are allowed in public facilities and accommodations. A service animal must be allowed to accompany the handler to any place in the building or facility where members of the public, program participants, customers, or clients are allowed. Even if the business or public program has a ‘no pets’ policy, it may not deny entry to a person with a service animal.”
Image credits: drobotdean (not the actual photo)
Service dogs differ from therapy or emotional support animals and don’t need special vests or documentation. According to the ADA, “Because service animals are not required to wear vests, a dog that is wearing a vest is not necessarily a service animal. The dog still needs to be trained to perform a task for a person with a disability to be a service animal.”
If a person asks for any documentation regarding a service animal, they are probably breaking the law as employees are only allowed to ask two questions: “Is the dog a service animal required because of a disability?” and “What work or task has the dog been trained to perform?” The restaurant manager, however, went a bit far by asking for papers and making assumptions about the TikToker’s rights.
Image credits: Brian Wangenheim (not the actual photo)
Watch the full video here
@k9trainunitCommunity pie restaurant service animal refussal♬ original sound – K9 Train Unit
The video of the man being denied service by restaurant manager because of his service dog goes viral, receiving over 1 million views
The ending of the video has us all wondering about the outcome of this argument as it doesn’t provide any information on how the incident turned out. However, the TikToker later posted a follow-up video saying that he had received a message from the manager’s mother. The concerned mom explained that her son was still learning and assured the TikToker that the restaurant was taking steps to educate their staff about service animals.
The TikToker noted that the restaurant had sent him an apology and promised to improve their practices and train their staff regarding service animals, but he would not be taking down his video.
This is not an isolated case as people with service animals often face similar issues, despite the laws that are in place for their protection. ADA violations can lead to hefty fines, more specifically $75,000 for the first violation and up to $150,000 for following ones.
The viral video sparked an online debate with the public’s reactions ranging from support for the TikToker to criticism of the restaurant’s handling of the situation. Some netizens expressed their frustration over the lack of awareness about service animal rights, especially among service industry workers. One comment aptly asked: “How does anyone, corporate or privately owned, not know this law?”.
While for the hospitality industry workers, it may be about avoiding huge fines, for people facing these challenges every day, it’s about more than that. For them, standing up for their rights is about making sure that people with disabilities can navigate public spaces with the same ease and dignity as everyone else.
While more often than not, TikTok serves up light-hearted content, the platform can be a great way of pointing the spotlight on more serious topics, just like the one presented in this viral video. So, next time you see a service dog in a restaurant, remember that they’re not just pets but lifelines for their handlers. And everyone deserves a seat at the table, paws and all.
Who do you think was wrong in this story? Let us know in the comments.
Netizens are outraged by the manager’s refusal to serve the man because of his service dog, saying that people should educate themselves on the law
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What do you think ?
HTakeover 5 months ago
Having trained actual, certified service dogs for kids with autism... is this an actual service dog with papers (even if you don't have to show 'em) or is it a therapy/comfort dog? The former are expensive as hell and are protected by ADA, that latter aren't. There's a world of difference in training and how the dog acts, and I'm constantly battling people who buy a generic vest on Amazon & call their large rat a "service" dog just 'cause they don't want to be without the pocket pooch with separation anxiety, and are ruining it for the people who actually do have a real one.
Mike F 5 months ago
I retired from a place that did medical transportation (to and from medical appointments) and people tried this all the time. We had one woman who had 2 65+ pound mutts that she called service dogs. When I asked what service they perform I was told that they are necessary. I then said she had to supply travel crates for each animal, and pay a $145 cleaning fee because we also transported people with trachs and allergies. She called her insurance company (who handled the Medicaid in her area) who told her that we weren't doing anything against the rules. Oddly, I never heard another word about those dogs. The folks we transported who NEEDED the service animals never seemed to be able to get them.
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Barry Fruitman 5 months ago
Documentation should be required. There are too many people that take advantage and lie.
Wolf Glitter 5 months ago
If someone lies and their dog misbehaves they can be asked to leave. I have a service dog. If he has a "bad" day such as diarrhea and I chose to take him out, I know we will be asked to leave if he has an accident. We've had other "service" dogs bark at us. It's bad when people lie but to create more barriers for disabled people is cruel. Many people are on waiting lists for service animals whose training can be $15k. Some try to use private trainers that still might be in the thousands of dollars. And some try to self train which is extremely hard to do in the best situations - and this person is trying to do it while disabled.
Load More Replies...
dremetrius 5 months ago
Please look up the rules for service dogs in your area, y'all. From the ADA website for the US: A service animal must be under the control of its handler. Under the ADA, service animals must be harnessed, leashed, or tethered, unless the individual’s disability prevents using these devices or these devices interfere with the service animal’s safe, effective performance of tasks. In that case, the individual must maintain control of the animal through voice, signal, or other effective controls. [...] A person with a disability cannot be asked to remove his service animal from the premises unless: (1) the dog is out of control and the handler does not take effective action to control it or (2) the dog is not housebroken. When there is a legitimate reason to ask that a service animal be removed, staff must offer the person with the disability the opportunity to obtain goods or services without the animal’s presence.
KATHY 5 months ago
The dog must also stay on the floor....not the table, not the chair....and a person can usually tell if it's a real SD....they are focused and ignore everyone but their master....the dog I saw sniffing the meat case in a grocery store or the one riding in the cart are NOT SDs and should never be in a store....
Load More Replies... HTakeover 5 months ago
Having trained actual, certified service dogs for kids with autism... is this an actual service dog with papers (even if you don't have to show 'em) or is it a therapy/comfort dog? The former are expensive as hell and are protected by ADA, that latter aren't. There's a world of difference in training and how the dog acts, and I'm constantly battling people who buy a generic vest on Amazon & call their large rat a "service" dog just 'cause they don't want to be without the pocket pooch with separation anxiety, and are ruining it for the people who actually do have a real one.
Mike F 5 months ago
I retired from a place that did medical transportation (to and from medical appointments) and people tried this all the time. We had one woman who had 2 65+ pound mutts that she called service dogs. When I asked what service they perform I was told that they are necessary. I then said she had to supply travel crates for each animal, and pay a $145 cleaning fee because we also transported people with trachs and allergies. She called her insurance company (who handled the Medicaid in her area) who told her that we weren't doing anything against the rules. Oddly, I never heard another word about those dogs. The folks we transported who NEEDED the service animals never seemed to be able to get them.
Load More Replies... Barry Fruitman 5 months ago
Documentation should be required. There are too many people that take advantage and lie.
Wolf Glitter 5 months ago
If someone lies and their dog misbehaves they can be asked to leave. I have a service dog. If he has a "bad" day such as diarrhea and I chose to take him out, I know we will be asked to leave if he has an accident. We've had other "service" dogs bark at us. It's bad when people lie but to create more barriers for disabled people is cruel. Many people are on waiting lists for service animals whose training can be $15k. Some try to use private trainers that still might be in the thousands of dollars. And some try to self train which is extremely hard to do in the best situations - and this person is trying to do it while disabled.
Load More Replies... dremetrius 5 months ago
Please look up the rules for service dogs in your area, y'all. From the ADA website for the US: A service animal must be under the control of its handler. Under the ADA, service animals must be harnessed, leashed, or tethered, unless the individual’s disability prevents using these devices or these devices interfere with the service animal’s safe, effective performance of tasks. In that case, the individual must maintain control of the animal through voice, signal, or other effective controls. [...] A person with a disability cannot be asked to remove his service animal from the premises unless: (1) the dog is out of control and the handler does not take effective action to control it or (2) the dog is not housebroken. When there is a legitimate reason to ask that a service animal be removed, staff must offer the person with the disability the opportunity to obtain goods or services without the animal’s presence.
KATHY 5 months ago
The dog must also stay on the floor....not the table, not the chair....and a person can usually tell if it's a real SD....they are focused and ignore everyone but their master....the dog I saw sniffing the meat case in a grocery store or the one riding in the cart are NOT SDs and should never be in a store....
Load More Replies...
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