Assistance dog co~op

Maddi77

I’ve had an assistance dog for 12 yrs with me in the co op no problem, I lost him this the start of this year, my daughter found me a pup to become my assistance dog and went in no problem a month ago an email had gone round banning me from taking her in, she has the lead and jacket explaining who she is I’ve done the disability act 2010 but still refusing me, my dog is super quiet in shops and not interested in bother people or eating the food all other shops cafes and takeaways are more than happy to have her in their establishments I now have to travel further to get any items I may need which I usually get bread milk etc in the co op. My furry is there for severe anxiety and depression and the co op have made it worse 😢 it’s not like she’s a giant breed (see photo)

66Mustang

Awwwwww I'm not really a dog person but even I would let her in my premises 😂

Sorry to hear of your troubles though, I don't really have any good suggestions but hope you manage to get something sorted

MW123

@Maddi77 Firstly, welcome to Scope! I must say, your dog is a real cutie!

I recommend directly contacting the Co-op head office through email or written correspondence, bypassing the local store management. In your communication, clearly highlight that your previous fully trained assistance dog was granted access to the Co-op for 12 years without any issues.

This established a clear precedent, which should apply to your current assistance dog, even though she is still in training. Request an explanation for the sudden policy shift and ask for specific reasons behind the new restriction. Emphasise that your current dog, while in training, is still an assistance dog and should be afforded the same rights as her predecessor.

Urge the Co-op to apply its policies consistently, noting that if access was granted to your previous dog, there should logically be no grounds for denying access to your current dog, particularly given her good behaviour and control. If concerns arise due to her training status, offer to provide documentation of her training progress or relevant certifications.

You might also propose a trial period during which they can assess her behaviour in the store. By highlighting the precedent set by your previous dog and addressing the inconsistency in their policy, you aim to strengthen your case and encourage the Co-op to reconsider their stance.

Sandy_123

hi @Maddi77 Maddi77lovely dog and some info in got for you below

https://accessmediationservices.co.uk/resources/civil/guide-dog-refusals-and-your-rights/#:~:text=You%20can%20seek%20advice%20on,disability%20mediation%20on%2001905%20330055.

Maddi77

can I just add I’ve gone to head office and disability and discrimination and still not allowed her in yet, also in uk you don’t get any kind of certification as she’s trained personally for my disabilities xx

MW123

@Maddi77

Thank you for providing that additional context. The absence of a formal certification process for assistance dogs in the UK complicates the situation. Although your dog is trained to assist with your disabilities, it lacks the official certification required for public access under the Equality Act 2010.

Given that your previous dog was permitted entry to the Co-op for twelve years, it seems the Co-op may now be refusing entry to your new dog because they have updated their interpretation of the rules and recognise that the dog does not have the same legal rights as a certified assistance dog under the Equality Act 2010.