Man leaves pub as staff question assistance dog ID

A disabled man said he left a pub out of embarrassment after workers asked for more information about his assistance dog.

Graham Watts said he visited the Wetherspoon pub, The Stannary Court in Plympton, Devon, and was asked for ID for his black labrador assistance dog, Henry.

Wetherspoon said it operated a "no dog policy" in all its pubs but had an exception for assistance dogs.

It said staff asked for additional information about the dog but Mr Watts said he left the venue because he felt the attention of the whole pub "was focused on him" and it made him uncomfortable.

Mr Watts said he and Henry had been to the pub "a dozen times" and had never had an issue before.

He described Henry as his "ticket to freedom" as he was reliant on him as he suffered from falls and blackouts.

Henry is trained to sit with him and he carries a tag with all his medical details on it, said Mr Watts, who added the tag stated "that he is not to be separated from me".

In a statement, Wetherspoon said it operated a "no dog policy" in all its pubs.

The firm said it did not allow emotional support or therapy dogs into its venues but made an exception for "highly trained assistance dogs which help customers with disabilities".

It said staff needed to assess whether the exception for assistance dogs should apply.

"In respect of Mr Watts his dog was wearing a harness which stated therapy dog which would not qualify as an assistance dog for the purposes of our policy," the pub chain said.

"As a result, Mr Watts was asked if he could provide any additional information as to the status of his dog."

Wetherspoon said while that was being reviewed by the pub's manager on duty, Mr Watts left the venue.

Mr Watts said: "It's just embarrassing.

"Disability does not embarrass me but when people stand and stare at you, you get uncomfortable."

Wetherspoon said it was "difficult for businesses to rely on the type of identification provided as they can be easily purchased online without the need for any type of verification as to the dog's purpose or training".

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