Army Veteran: Popular Deep Ellum Bar Turned Away Service Dog
DALLAS (CBSDFW.COM) - A U.S. Army veteran says his service dog was turned away from a popular Dallas establishment.
After he finished serving in the military, Brandon Jones suffered a terrible accident back at home that left him with a traumatic brain injury. Partially blind and deaf and with difficulties keeping his balance, he is still in rehabilitation today.
Jones welcomed his service dog, a pit bull named Woody, into the family two years ago.
Woody helps guide Jones through crowds and down sidewalks. The pair ventured into public restaurants, bars and hotels together for the last year without any problems.
Jones says the first encounter with someone who took issue with his service dog happened at Adair's Saloon in Deep Ellum Wednesday night.
Jones says the bartender told him he could not enter with the dog - that the bar had a 'no pets' policy, no matter what.
Woody wears a collar identifying him as a service animal, and Jones produced a registration card to back it up. He says the employee still said Woody had to leave.
"She said it didn't matter. I said yes ma'am; it does matter. It's the law," Jones said.
The Americans With Disabilities Act requires bars, restaurants, hotels, taxis and other public places allow service dogs in with very few questions asked.
Marty Monroe, one of the owners of Adair's Saloon, told CBS 11 News this was a misunderstanding. He says they've read up on the Americans With Disabilities Act and will distribute the information to employees, so this does not happen again.
Monroe says Adair's invited Jones, his friends and Woody back for a meal and a drink on the house.
Jones says he hopes by sharing his experience, more people will become educated on the importance of service dogs.
(©2014 CBS Local Media, a division of CBS Radio Inc. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.)
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