Alex Buscemi
In a viral TikTok video, a man with PTSD was asked to leave a restaurant because of his service dog, sparking widespread discussion and debate.
The incident took place at a restaurant called Community Pie, where the manager informed the man that dogs were only allowed on the patio, regardless of their service status.
The TikToker, aware of his rights under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), pushed back, highlighting that the restaurant was violating federal law.
A man with PTSD filmed an interaction with a manager who told him to leave the restaurant because he’d brought his service dog
“We don’t allow dogs inside, no matter what,” the manager says in the video, which has racked up over 60K likes on TikTok.
“You’re violating federal law,” the man replies.
Service animals are protected under the ADA, which mandates that they must be allowed in any public area where their handlers are permitted. This includes areas with a ‘no pets’ policy, as service animals are not considered pets but essential aids for people with disabilities.
According to the ADA, service animals do not require special vests or documentation, and employees are only permitted to ask two specific questions: whether the dog is a service animal needed due to a disability, and what tasks the dog has been trained to perform.
The manager was violating the man’s rights as outlined in the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)
The manager’s refusal to allow the service dog inside, coupled with demands for documentation, was a clear violation of these protections.
The TikToker pointed out that such a refusal could result in substantial fines for the restaurant.
The video, which has garnered over one million views, ends without showing the resolution of the argument, but a follow-up video reveals that the restaurant reached out to apologize and promised to educate their staff about service animal rights.
Watch the full video here
@k9trainunit Community pie restaurant service animal refussal
This incident highlights ongoing issues faced by people with service animals, despite existing laws meant to protect them.
The video sparked a broad online debate, with many expressing support for the man and frustration over the lack of awareness about service animal rights.
This case underscores the importance of educating service industry workers about ADA regulations to ensure that individuals with disabilities can access public spaces with dignity and ease.
Here’s what netizens had to say about the incident
h/t Bored Panda
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