UK Indian Restaurant turns away blind man's service dogs

[Saddle Bronc 124]

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-10...im-beliefs.html

Blind man turned away from Indian restaurant after owner says guide dog is against his Muslim beliefs

A blind man was allegedly turned away from an Indian restaurant - because the owner said it was against his Muslim beliefs to allow dogs into his establishment.

Alun Elder-Brown, who was among a party of birthday guests, said he was even threatened with a police call if his guide dog Finn didn’t leave – despite showing an animal permit.

The 51-year-old sales executive is now planning to sue the Kirthon Restaurant in affluent Tunbridge Wells, Kent.

If a court finds they breached the Disability Discrimination Act, bosses could be forced to pay him compensation.

Mr Elder-Brown said today: ‘It was humiliating and degrading, especially as there were a lot of people around me.

'They told me we couldn’t come in because it was against their religious beliefs to have a dog in the restaurant. They then said I could leave Finn tied up outside. I stayed calm but when they said they would call police I left.’

Mr Elder-Brown was celebrating a friend’s birthday on Saturday night with his five-year-old daughter when he was shown the door.

Staff allegedly refused to let them stay even when he showed his Institute of Environmental Health Officers card that certifies he and his dog are allowed into any premises.

He said: ‘It was horrible. It put a dampener on the whole celebration.

‘I don’t want to be a torch-bearer for guide dogs but this sort of behaviour has got to stop.’

He added that he is pursuing legal action under the Disability Discrimination Act, which has made it unlawful since 1996 for restaurants to refuse to serve a disabled person - including blind people with guide dogs.

Chris Dyson, of blind charity Guide Dogs, said: ‘We are extremely disappointed that Alun was refused access to this restaurant. Alun’s guide dog provides him with independence and it is unacceptable if this freedom is removed because of the attitude of service providers. Guide dogs are well-groomed and are trained to sit at their owner’s feet, not climb on seats or bother other customers.’

The brother of Kirthon’s owner, Amenur Abdussamad, confirmed it was against their religious beliefs to allow a dog in the restaurant.

Have the Abdussamads ever heard of takeout/delivery-only restaurants (maybe these aren't as common in UK as in US, but...not exactly unknown there)?

[w¡n9Nµ7 §£@¥€r 123]

fvckin brown people

[LaL 418]

fvckin brown people

omg! brown people in the UK toooooooo!

[w¡n9Nµ7 §£@¥€r 123]

** global warming, we have a true global epidemic on our hands... brown people!

[Hilarious Clinton 452]

ZOMG! Such ignorant beliefs. Such intolerance should be severly punished.

and ummmm..... since when are muslims automatically 'brown'? ZOMG ####### YFKM

[Saddle Bronc 124]

ZOMG! Such ignorant beliefs. Such intolerance should be severly punished.

and ummmm..... since when are muslims automatically 'brown'? ZOMG ####### YFKM

Not exactly common that the owner of an Indian restaurant would be of non-Subcontinental origin.

[Mags 112]

It's the Daily Mail for gawd's sake. This paper thrives on stirring the pot.

Nothing this paper prints is worth reading.

[Nothing1234 2]

It's the Daily Mail for gawd's sake. This paper thrives on stirring the pot.

Nothing this paper prints is worth reading.

Sad...

[bhajishah 4]

its the hair carries bacteria and etc. can get into peoples food.

[w¡n9Nµ7 §£@¥€r 123]

Agreed, I hate seeing pets near me if I'm in a restaurant eating.

[Niels Bohr 72]

It's these extra baggage that people hold onto that causes the world into chaos. Sometimes it has to be tolerated to accept things than to reject things bluntly.

[bhajishah 4]

Does not animals carry diseases and viruses that can transer and be deadly to humans..Ie aids sars etc.Some scientific backing to those outdatd beliefs.

In UK the browns are the terrorists and or workers..seem to be v much down upon. case in point

[mRx 16]

I really don't think this warrants a lawsuit. It is, afterall, the Muslim's restaurant. If he is willing to sacrifice business for his religion, then the business will be taken elsewhere.

[Nothing1234 2]

its the hair carries bacteria and etc. can get into peoples food.

Wow...

Haven't you ever watched those shows where they have hidden cameras in a kitchen? Worse things happen to your food in the kitchen before you get it than the possibility of a stray dog hair that "can" get into a persons food.

[Saddle Bronc 124]

I really don't think this warrants a lawsuit. It is, afterall, the Muslim's restaurant. If he is willing to sacrifice business for his religion, then the business will be taken elsewhere.

Would be true if he weren't in violation of the country's laws.

He added that he is pursuing legal action under the Disability Discrimination Act, which has made it unlawful since 1996 for restaurants to refuse to serve a disabled person - including blind people with guide dogs.

Edited December 17, 2008 by CherryXS