Army Vet And Service Dog Forced Out Of Local Restaurant
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Β SHELBY, NC — A local Army veteran says he will not go back to the Dairy Queen in Shelby. Β One of the restaurant’s employees forced him and his service dog out of the restaurant Tuesday.
Spc. Dustin Dalton served two tours of combat. Β He returned home from Afghanistan in 2013. Β Dalton suffers from PTSD and has a service dog, Thunder. Β The two, along with Dalton’s parents and kids, say when they tried to place their food order, an employee told them this:
"He told my mom that he would refuse us service inside, that he would not give us service if we did not go outside,” said Dalton. Β "He said hair would get in people’s food. Β I just think it’s disrespectful all the way around.”
The owner of the Dairy Queen publicly apologized and says discipline for the employee is still being determined. Β He also says, “A customer complained there was a large German shepherd in the dining room. Β It was not wearing a vest or harness from my understanding. Β This turned into a misunderstanding that was mishandled. Β No excuse here, it was handled the wrong way. Β They did say it was a service dog and that should have been the end of the discussion.”
Federal law allows service animals access to any place the public would normally go.
