A Walmart shopper in New York claimed she was followed around and bugged by a group of store workers – all because her service dog wasn’t on its leash.
Crystal Pratt claimed workers at the retail giant’s location in Albany repeatedly shouted at her while she was inside the store’s supermarket.
She was allegedly bombarded by the staffers – despite registering her golden retriever service dog, Bella, in the correct way, according to CBS affiliate WRGB-TV.
Pratt, who uses a mobility scooter and has undergone surgeries in recent years, had already signed paperwork proving Bella’s service dog status.
But the issue stemmed from the fact that Pratt’s pooch, who helps her pick up items she cannot reach, wasn’t leashed while inside the supermarket.
She claimed she was challenged by at least five workers, who she said were not wearing ID badges, before calling the cops.
“They just kept yelling from across the aisles that she needed to be on a leash,” she told the Daily Mail. She was at the checkout when cops arrived before being escorted out.
Service dogs must be harnessed or leashed, according to the Americans with Disabilities Act. But there is an exemption for those who are unable to harness their animals.
In those circumstances, Americans must use their voice or signal to control their service animals.
Store workers can only ask two questions to Americans with a service dog if it’s not entirely clear what function the animal carries out.
The first question is: “Is the dog a service animal required because of a disability?”
And the second: “What work or task has the dog been trained to perform?”
Store workers cannot probe a customer about their disability, or ask them to show medical documents, according to the terms of the ADA.
They are also banned from asking customers about asking an animal to carry out its duty in some sort of test.
“Walmart values every customer interaction and is committed to providing a welcoming, inclusive and respectful shopping experience for all,” a spokesperson told WRGB.
“Service animals are welcome in our stores, and we are committed to following ADA guidelines and applicable state laws.”
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