Nikölas A.
Yelp
First off let me say I am disgusted with Angry Ales. I am a disabled Veteran who was in town for a weekend. I was referred to this place as a "fun place with good vibes, good food, and good drinks." Let me start off with saying I was told at the door that myself and my highly trained service dog had to sit outside on the patio. I informed the security gentleman at the door that she was not a "pet" but a service animal, and we were not sitting outside in the 28 degree weather. He was unsure of the law, but did not question my entry.
I proceeded into the bar and grill, and went to the bar top where I was greeted by one of the bartenders. She took my drink order, a crown and sprite, and told me how beautiful my service animal was and how well trained she was. It was at this time, one of the managers named "Thomas" approached me and told me that me and my service animal could not be inside their establishment. I informed him that was/ is against the law and he could not refuse me or my service animal. He asked me to come outside to speak to him,(at this time I started recording the incident) without incident I followed him outside.
While Thomas and myself were outside, he told me that he was refusing myself and my service animal entry; we were being asked to leave. I let him know politely that he could not do so by law, and that she was not a "pet" but a medical device who is highly trained as a PTSD/ Anxiety dog, as well as medical alert. He informed me that its the owners policy that no animals are allowed inside their bar. He then told me that he was asking me to leave, but my service dog could stay. I informed him of the ADA guidline:
1. The ADA explains what businesses and state/local governments must do to make sure that they do not discriminate against a member of the public with a disability who uses a service animal.
2. Generally, businesses and non-profits that are open to the public as well as state/local governments must allow service animals to go most places where the public can go. This is true even if they have a "no pets" policy.
On camera, Thomas proceeds to tell me he is allowed to ask me my disability and what the dog does. I informed him per the ADA guidelines
You may ask two things:
1.Is the dog a service animal required because of a disability?
2.What work or task has the dog been trained to perform?
All of these "questions" are answered on my service dogs harness and it states openly that she is a PTSD service animal and a medical alert dog. After informing him of my rights protected by the ADA, he told me this is not the place for someone with a disability.
I asked to speak to his boss, and his boss came out to speak to me. The gentleman I spoke with was very understanding of the law and said he's never worked at a place who had a policy that states they are not to let animals inside, regardless if they're service animals or not. He even called the owners on the phone while I was standing right there and they reaffirmed they do not care what the law states, this is his establishment and I was not to bring my service dog inside. They hung up.
I told him that they were breaking the law and that I was going to file a police report. He told me he was sorry but he was only following orders.
I called Charlotte PD and two officers were there within 10 minutes or so. I explained to the, that the bar owners/ managers were denying me and my service dog entrance. The police told the restaurant managers that they could not do that by law per North Carolina statue 168 and were protected under the ADA guidelines.
All of this incident is recorded and will be sent to the appropriate parties that will be involved in this discrimination complaint with the Department of Justice and the ADA.
