2019-02-08
The complainant has an assistance animal that assists in managing an anxiety disorder. She alleged a staff member at the respondent café, where she was breakfasting with her family, told her she had to take her dog outside, despite the dog wearing a harness identifying it as an assistance animal. The complainant alleged the staff member’s aggressive manner led other patrons to become aggressive towards her and her experiencing a panic attack.
The café claimed the complainant’s dog was not wearing a jacket, was on an extendable lead and was roaming around the café, jumping up and sniffing other patrons and their food. The café claimed the staff member asked the complainant to demonstrate the dog was an assistance animal and under her control. The café denied the staff member was aggressive towards the complainant.
The complaint was resolved with an agreement that a photo of the complainant and her dog be placed in the café’s staff room so that staff are familiar with them. The café’s owner undertook to hold a staff meeting to discuss the incident giving rise to the complaint and to provide the complainant with his phone number should she experience any problems in the future.
Year
Discrimination type
Disability Discrimination Act
Grounds
Assistance animal
Disability
Areas
Goods, services and facilities
Anti discrimination/EEO training introduced
Anti-discrimination/EEO training reviewed/revised
Amount