The "Blind" Man and the Seeing Eye Dog

[smfrazier]

This occurred years ago during my convenience store days:

A drunk man comes into the store, followed by his dog. Because we serve food, there is a law against animals inside the store unless it is a service dog. This dog wasn't even on a leash. I told the man he has to leave the dog outside. He keeps walking to the back of the store towards the beer coolers. Meanwhile the dog is wandering all up and down the aisles.

"Sir, you have to take that dog outside! It is against the law for him to be in here!"

"I am legally blind! That is my seeing eye dog!" He continues waling to the back of the store. The dog is still wandering all over the store.

"You're not blind and I know that's not a seeing eye dog! I can't serve you! If you don't take that dog out of there I'm calling the cops!"

He argues for a few minutes. He finally leaves when I pick up the phone.

Then he gets in his truck and drives off.

[Sheldonrs]

Maybe he was blind drunk.

It would have been better if you HAD called the cops so they could have arrested him before he drove off.

[Akasa]

That just pisses me off. People like that are what makes it hard on those who really are blind and disabled!

[Mytical]

*nods* A service animal when it is on duty is all business. They do not wander. They are better behaved then 90% of the human customers, and at least twice as awesome (minimum).

[Kristev]

I don't even like dogs, and I have to agree.

[Pixilated]

This is a small point, comparatively, but don't most (if not all) service animals also wear a recognizable 'jacket' -- and certainly if this was a service dog for a blind person, would it not have had a special harness as well?

I think I would've gotten the licence number and called the cops and said a self-declared "blind" person had just driven off in a vehicle. Let's see him talk his way out of that one.

[PepperElf]

The jacket isn't a requirement. It's lead to quite a few SC encounters where legit service animals & their people are harassed over the presence of the animal.

But yes, in the case of seeing-eye-dogs they would be wearing a harness to help guide the human. A regular leash wouldn't work unless the dog was always pulling tight on it.

self-declared "blind" person had just driven off in a vehicle.

not to mention while drunk too.

But I don't know if the OP could have done it. I mean as soon as smf went for the phone the drunkard took off. can't always get the plate in time

[ShinyObject]

Throw the drunk out and serve the dog. They are a better grade of customer any day.

[Lovecats]

We are allowed to say something to the person but if they say it's a service dog we can't take it any further. It's frustrating when you know it's not though.

[sirwired]

There are very specific questions you are allowed to ask, namely: "What specific tasks is the animal trained to perform?" Also, it is legal to eject a service animal that is being unsanitary (i.e. peeing on the floor, trying to get into food, etc.) or disruptive (barking frequently, tugging hard at the leash, climbing on other customers, etc.) or aggressive.

Looking for a jacket is pointless; not all legit service animals have them, and those that want to disguise their pets as a service animal can order a jacket off the internet, along with official-looking ID cards, for a few bucks.

[smfrazier]

It was obvious the man could see, and it was obvious the dog dog wasn't a seeing eye dog because he was wandering around the store away from his owner, so I didn't think it was necessary to question him further.

[georgie]

you know, a customer who claimed (lied) they were blind and then got into a truck/car would seriously make me think about calling the non emergency police number and report a driver on the road who claimed they were blind

[flybye023]

That reminds me of the "officious seeing-eye bitch" in the movie Everything is Illuminated.

What. an. idiot. or EW, not sure which. Maybe both?

[Peppergirl]

Hey guys - great thread!

Just to caution: Please keep it off of any debate about guide dogs, and their legalities and what not. Please only comment on the assholery of the clearly lying OP in this case.

Thanks!

[blas]

I totally need a guard snake for when I'm drunk.

Ya know, in case anyone tries anything with me. I'll just get one of those big snakes, name it Tickles, and carry it around with me wrapped around my shoulders. Creepy McCreeperson tries to slip something in my drink....oopsie daisies, where'd he go? And Tickles is full for another week.