Allowing disabled individuals to be denied access due to their medical equipment in this day and age is not tolerable. There IS a part 2 to this.
Today, my client, who was trying to purchase water, she was discriminated against at @gosunoco at 6440 Myrtle Ave, (Myrtle Ave and Cypress Hills St) Ridgewood, NY for having her federally protected service dog under the ADA.
For context: The store owner refused service and ordered her to leave due to having a dog. When Bianca explained she had a legal right to be there under the ADA with her service dog, the owner said she didn’t care and insisted she leave. My client calmly said she would wait for the police. The owner then told her the dog must stand up and that she had to clean the floor because the dog would leave hair behind.
But when the officers arrived, the owner changed her story — claiming it wasn’t about the dog, but that she simply refused her as a customer because of drama. Rather than protecting my client’s federal rights, the officers refused to take a discrimination report and tried to label it as “mutual harassment” — as if asking for legal access is harassment.
This is not how the law works.
I was on the phone the entire time. I heard everything. The store owner was in perfect understanding as she was screaming that she didn’t want the dog because of the hair.
The officers seemed to be interrogating the handler instead of the store owner until Bianca asked multiple times for the police officers to check the cameras which conveniently didn’t have audio. When the gas station was asked again after the video, she did admit it was because of the dog.
🦮 Service dogs are not pets — they are medical equipment protected by federal law. Bianca uses a service dog to mitigate the symptoms of her disability. Her dog alerts and responds to medical episodes.
The officers even tried to convince my client that they can’t enforce a law if the business owner doesn’t comprehend it. However, the owner of the store had been yelling questions about the dog in the background while the police explained that there was nothing they could do. They refused to explain the ADA to the staff, and told my client that their superior said this “isn’t a hate crime” and that she had to leave. They left without explaining a law to the owner. The owner was able to discriminate and kick her out due to her service dog with the NY police on her side.
It is never okay to tolerate or turn a blind eye to discrimination
✊ @Sunoco , please educate those that own franchises under your name the ADA and that discrimination is not tolerated.
#ADAViolation #Discrimination #ServiceDogRights #JusticeForAll #StandUpForRights #DisabilityAdvocacy
The recent incident involving a service dog handler being denied access at a Sunoco station, with the police allegedly failing to enforce the law, was incredibly frustrating to witness. It highlights a painful truth: despite federal protections, ADA violations are still a common occurrence. For anyone who relies on a service animal, or who simply wants to be an ally, understanding your rights and what constitutes an ADA violation is crucial. Service animals are not pets; they are essential medical equipment, providing vital support for individuals with disabilities. The law is very clear on this. Businesses generally cannot deny access to a person with a service animal. They can only ask two specific questions: (1) Is the animal a service animal required because of a disability? and (2) What work or task has the animal been trained to perform? That's it! They can't ask about your disability, demand documentation, or ask for a demonstration of the service animal's task. They also can't charge extra fees, even if they charge for pets. I've seen and heard far too many instances of businesses refusing service under false pretenses. Common excuses include claiming 'no pets allowed,' citing allergies, or expressing fear of dogs. In the case I experienced, the owner was fixated on 'hair' – a completely unacceptable reason to deny access to a federally protected service animal. This kind of discrimination, when someone is 'kicked out for having a service dog,' isn't just rude; it's illegal. It's especially disheartening when law enforcement, whose job it is to 'enforce the law,' seems to misunderstand or ignore these protections, acting as if 'there's a law they don't understand' and telling people 'you cannot kick me out.' So, what should you do if you or someone you know faces an ADA violation? First, try to remain calm and educate the individual or business about the law. Clearly state that your animal is a service animal and that you have a legal right to be there. If they continue to 'refuse service,' document everything. Write down the date, time, location, names of individuals involved, and exactly what was said or done. If possible and legal in your jurisdiction, discreetly record the interaction. This can be incredibly helpful, especially if cameras are present but 'don't have audio,' as was the case in the incident I witnessed. Even when police are involved, as we saw with the 'NYPD did nothing,' it’s important to know your options. If law enforcement is unhelpful, you can still file a complaint with the Department of Justice (DOJ). Many states also have local human rights commissions or disability rights organizations that can provide support and guidance. Standing up for your rights isn't 'petty'; it's critical. When 'my disability requires a service animal,' denying access is denying a fundamental right and access to essential support. We must continue to advocate for full accessibility and understanding so that every service dog handler can navigate the world without fear of discrimination.
