Shop Rite Shop Rite Supermarket harasses Handicap Man in Chair with Service Animal Ripoff West Nyack New York New York
SHOP RIGHT INITIAL COMPLAINT
I am a handicapped person (amputee) in a Chair. I had with me my service animal. He is a GSD Officially Certified and registered.
I was approached and confined by the Security, then by the Store manage ( As I was told (Jim Callahan)
I immediately present my Certification Photo ID card for my Service Animal, which states that is he is protected by the US Dept of Justice. I had to plea with them but was just told that he is not allowed in the store over and over because it is against Dept of Health regulations.
I again told that our entrance is guaranteed as a civil right.
Reluctantly, he said it was ok but I would have a security person follow me through the Store.
Additionally, I was asked to explain my disability (what was wrong with me) This is a direct violation of my Civil Rights and is totally illegal!
I was completely humiliated and embarrassed by this action
Many store employees were following my wife and I and basically staring at us and made me the center of attention. It even went so far as watching us get into our van.
This is completely wrong and I am contemplating further action
I was embarrased, harassed and felt to feel inferior with all their probing, detaining me and having me try to explain my condition and need for a service animal as I was being watched but a gathering crowd
Michael
NEWBURGH, New York
U.S.A.
1 Updates & Rebuttals
Frank
Brick,New Jersey,
U.S.A.
the shop rite and loss prevention.
#2UPDATE EX-employee responds
Sun, July 06, 2008
The company has a policy on Loss. If they see something. Like a backpack or long coats, they think everyone will steal.
Here is what one manager said, "Every Customer is a thief. Treat Everyone like a thief." "So keep a close watch on everyone. and watch out for coats and jackets on warm days."
So if you had a backpack, they could have said that you may steal something. Or even if the dog had a backpack on.
The managers do not want to say "Your a crook." So they make up other lies to go with it.
Maybe it was not the dog but the dogs Backpack. Not all but people do steal. Just sometimes to eat or feed thier children.
Under NJ Law, the company can not refuse to allow any Seeing Eye or Service dog in the store. Under the Americans with Disablites ACT, you will have a case. Most 97% Shop-rite will settle out of court. and of course say they are not doing anything wrong.