As the saying goes, a dog is a man’s best friend, but for JD Wetherspoons sadly this is not the case as the pub giant has barred Assistance Dogs from all of their 800 premises in the UK, Isle of Man and Ireland. The exception to this rule is dogs registered with a membership body called Assistance Dogs UK (ADUK), which has just 14 members out of the hundreds of Assistance Dog organisations that exist. There are an estimated 7,000 Assistance Dogs in the UK alone.
It is a legal requirement to allow an Assistance Dog into a public space or business. Assistance Dogs are highly trained to support Disabled people and are legally recognised as ‘Auxiliary Aids’, just like a person’s wheelchair, cane, or crutch, and as such they are permitted to accompany their handler in public spaces such as restaurants, shops, taxis and hotels where pet dogs are not usually allowed.
This is considered a ‘reasonable adjustment’ under The Equality Act 2010 to ensure that Disabled people who rely on an Assistance Dog are not put at a substantial disadvantage. There is no official registration or certification process for Assistance Dogs in the UK and so there is no legal ‘proof’ that businesses can ask for.
Megan uses an Assistance Dog and shares how access refusals have impacted her:
“Despite laws which protect the rights of Disabled people with Assistance Dogs, it is not uncommon for handlers to be refused access. I have been turned away from multiple restaurants, supermarkets, taxis, hotels, museums and even by my GP surgery, simply because I had my Assistance Dog with me.
When access refusals happen, I am left feeling like a second-class citizen. My Assistance Dog gives me independence and safety; he enables me to access the world and live my life to the fullest. When this is taken away by those who choose to discriminate and break the law, the impact is devastating. I don’t think people realise that by turning me away because I have an Assistance Dog, they are telling me that I am not welcome here because I am Disabled. It really hurts and can have a lasting impact on my confidence.
I wish more businesses were aware of the laws so that one day I can simply buy milk without being questioned by security, followed around the shop, and treated like a criminal.”
To read more about our campaign with Surrey Coalition of Disabled People please read the story our website sightforsurey.org.uk
