A blind woman is fighting back after she was denied stays at a BnB in cottage country because of her service dog. CityNews reporter Amanda Ferguson has the details.
Once, back in 1989, my partner and I, and my Guide Dog D. stayed in a bed and breakfast. We called ahead, told them we had a dog, and they were fine with it. Well, either from the stress of traveling, or from the altitude (to Flagstaff Arizona from sea-level California!) or sudden warm weather, my dog "blew her coat" overnight! We woke up and there was dog hair EVERYWHERE! She was a Golden Retriever, so that was a LOT of hair! OMG! We borrowed the manager's vacuum cleaner, and my partner and I took several hours to completely clean and detail the room! Since my partner had worked as a hotel maid once, she knew how to clean a room properly! When we were finished, several hours later, the room sparkled! We offered to pay any extra cleaning costs, but the B&B owner said it was fine, and that we were always welcome to return with my Guide. Yes, dogs CAN cause problems... but if the situation is handled properly, it's no worse than traveling with a small child.
I've worked in housekeeping in hotels and cleaned rooms that have had dogs in and it's no more work than cleaning a room that didn't have a dog stay in it. Its no more time to hoover the carpet than it normally would take. They're just miserable people who run that B and B as they can't be bothered.
People always jump to conclusions about things like this. Disabilities should always be acceptable for everyone and everything. And we have remember, not all disabilities are visible. I’m one of those people. I’m on the autism spectrum. But I most likely won’t come across like those who have a more severe case of autism. That, too, differs from person to person.
I bring a carpet cleaner and clean the room immaculate. My dog doesn’t shed whatsoever and he’s a small Yorkie but as a dog owner, I feel like I should be respectful to the cleaners
Plenty of blind people get around without a dog. Dogs are a health hazard and a nuisance in all sorts of public places. I don't care if its so well trained that it can do the Hokey Pokey. Dogs belong nowhere except in homes and parks
Actually, people with visual impairments use Guide dogs, and they're not "accents"... they're legally considered necessary medical equipment. People with other disabilities, like diabetes or seizure disorders (among many other things) use Service Dogs trained to assist with their health problems. Both are legally protected under the ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act), which is a Federal Civil Rights Law. Therapy Animals are highly trained and certified to work with many people... usually in nursing homes, hospitals &/or assisted living facilities. ESAs (Emotional Support Animals) are basically well-trained pets that only have rights when it comes to housing.
In the UK, under the disability discrimination act, it is against the law to refuse Guide Dogs or other registered Assistance Dogs in a building that prohibits dogs, which means they have to be made the exception because they're classed as a mobility aid.
Sam Bee There’s no such thing as a register for assistance dogs in the UK. You’re not wrong though, it would be illegal to refuse a person access on the basis of their assistance dog. The only real exceptions are intensive care wards, operating theatres, and commercial kitchens, which arguably aren’t open to the public anyway.
Sam Bee. Some corrections don't have the intelligence to look at this issue and train their employees to set this issue straight. We still have problems with this in the United States. I told a lady who had a service dog that he was a good looking K-9 and she started to bite my head off until I explained to her that I was on her side. She explained that she has trouble with individuals who are against service dogs. She was in a IHOP who supports entry of Service dogs.
I worked at a 4 star beach resort for 13 years. We always made special accommodations for anyone who had a service animal. When a service animal was going to be on property, everyone got a heads up and reminded that the dog was working, to not pet the dog unless the owner gave permission etc. We even left treats in the unit for the fur babies!
That must have been fun. I know you couldn't pet them without the owner's permission, but just knowing you have a dog & being able to leave treats & seeing them around must have been fun.
It seems to me they care more about their reputation than anything else. I can’t think of any other reason they’d have their lawyer tell anyone who badmouths them to shut up.
All dogs are amazing, but service dogs are truly special. Even among these remarkable animals, guide dogs are in a class all their own. I’m not familiar with Canadian law, so I don’t know the legal ramifications (if any), but this was certainly a despicable act by the BnB owner.
Here in the US, the only time we can ask a person with a service animal to leave an establishment is when the service animal is acting out and the handler can’t get it under control.
Its is so terrible to hear these kind of things happening to people with a disability. These facilities, businesses, or organizations will just lose business and their reputation. As long as the animal like a dog is a service animal it should be ok. I'm upset that these kinda things happen.
Im guessing this type of stuff is exactly why some new laws were passed and everyone at work had to take a mini online course about what rights people with disabilities have and how to treat and assist them while on the job
With some people claiming is in Canada the next best solution is to leave a comment on trip adviser. "Dont waste your time at this bed and breakfast if you are disable and have a service dog/guild dog. Boycott it if you have or know someone thats disable." That comment will let people know how the place really is. Plus Im not in Canada so their lawyer cant touch me. Lol.
actually your wrong there. Slander and liable dont stop at borders. The only thing stopping a lawyer is desire to deal with the legal system in your country
Plenty of blind people get around without a dog. Dogs are a health hazard and a nuisance in all sorts of public places. I don't care if its so well trained that it can do the Hokey Pokey. Dogs belong nowhere except in homes and parks
Plenty of blind people get around without a dog. Dogs are a health hazard and a nuisance in all sorts of public places. I don't care if its so well trained that it can do the Hokey Pokey. Dogs belong nowhere except in homes and parks
ADA doesn’t really apply in Canada but we do have similar laws that protect people with disabilities. The people who run this BnB are just trying to act big because the business is being run out of thee home.
Plenty of blind people get around without a dog. Dogs are a health hazard and a nuisance in all sorts of public places. I don't care if its so well trained that it can do the Hokey Pokey. Dogs belong nowhere except in homes and parks
I'd like to take the time to point out that not all guide dogs shed. I had a beautiful standard poodle named Motley trained by Pilot Dogs. Non-shedding breeds are perfect for those who are allergic to dogs that shed.
The lawyer is wrong the posted comments were not libel since it did not specially allege a violation of law and just because someone uses a loop hole in a law to discriminate against blind people does not maje such actions noble, honorable or ethical.
This is the one instance where I believe a business should be able to refuse service. Bed and Breakfasts are often run out of peoples homes and they should absolutely be allowed to say whether or not they allow animals in their business. There's always other B and B's that the lady could have went to that did except dogs, so she's the one that is being discriminating and putting someone out of their rights. Much like Christian bakeries, just go somewhere else, for the love of God.
I was under the impression that by federal law all service dogs were allowed into any public facility.Federal law superseded any provincial regulation. I think that the lawyer in question is full of it,his interpretation would never stand in court.
Plenty of blind people get around without a dog. Dogs are a health hazard and a nuisance in all sorts of public places. I don't care if its so well trained that it can do the Hokey Pokey. Dogs belong nowhere except in homes and parks
If that’s the way it is, then all of the Bed & Breakfast places should be shut down and forced to remain as homes for the people who own those places because of their blatant discrimination against people with disabilities.
I can think of inly one reason why a BnB might have been right to refuse a service dog/animal. Considering the fact that a BnB is a privates home that reason would be if the owner had an allergy to dogs, which would mean having a dog in the property the BnB would be unable to operate as the owner would be incapacitated due to their allergic reaction. This is the ONLY reason I can think of as otherwise service dogs should be accepted as per the law.
What if other guests have a severe allergy to dogs? Or if someone is severely triggered into a major panic attack or reaction due to a phobia of dogs? It seems to me that no matter what, someone will feel discriminated against.
@@sanperry That's not discrimination though, allergies and phobias are a personal responsibility. Any where you go at any time could have a trigger. It's up to the individual person to be prepared when that trigger event occurs. That's not the same thing as having a disability, it's not the same as needing constant aid just to be able to function normally. It's apples and oranges.
@@YamiSphinx people have been known to die from allergic reactions. They can NOT anticipate when a reaction will occur, unless they are willing to live their lives in a completely closed environment. What your statement amounts to is that the death of a person with an allergy is an acceptable sacrifice for the ability of a blind person to stay in whatever BnB they want.
@@ajvanmarle you can see a dog coming and avoid it. You cant see a seizure coming but a service dog can sense it. Per the law dog allergies are not a reason to refuse a service dog.
@@ajvanmarle It seems like the solution in the case of reaction would be as if you have a reaction to smoking! Only if the owner of the B&B was allergic to dogs1
I’m from the uk and some years ago I read of a blind person denied access to Burger King in London because of their guide dog I commented which prompted replies back n forth and resulted in an investigation
@ Then they have no business running a BnB in the first place. What is someone came in with animal dander or for on their clothes? Incidentally, there are breeds such as the Poodle and Poodle blends that don't shed.
4 года назад
@@catmac4700 If someone opens their home to guests it is still their and not a hotel. If people want a hotel go stay at one of those, but a B&B has house rules and if they don't want to stick to them then don't stay there. it doesn't matter if the proprietor can't stand the smell of a certain perfume, all they need do is say they're full sorry bye.
I confirmed with an Airbnb host that we had a service dog and was given the green light before booking, had it in email. Then he tried to add charges for extra cleaning saying that there is dog hair on the bed (our dog sheds very little and wasn’t on the bed). Then they wanted to add charges because they needed to vacuum. Airbnb is halfway decent but half trash because people are trash.
We are a family that raised a seeing eye puppy so I sympathies with the blind having guide dogs. On the other hand, I have severe allergies and asthma. If a person arrived at a property that I owned with a cat, I would need to deny entry unless they were crated during the stay. It isn't a matter of some hair, but dander and my ability to breathe.
I will never go to Ontario now, as I have a service dog due to my complex ptsd from childhood abuse. I will never understand why people needing a service dog are treated so poorly by our governments. As I got my ptsd from being in the government run foster care system SHAME ON THE GOVERNMENT LOCAL AND FEDERAL
well canadians if you want immediate access move down to America where those exceptions mentioned are not valid excuses under USA Federal Law and many states enacted supplemental laws to further protect access.
@RinnyRue I've been asked to show an ID to prove my dog is a ligitament service dog. I just laughed in their face while stating. How can I show you something that does not exist? They said a team came in earlier that day and showed them an ID the person told them that if someone comes in and does NOT have an ID it is a fake. Hum I gave them an ADA card. Then showed them on the ADA website the actual laws reguarding that issue. I told him I can have you fined for even asking me for that. There's only 2 questions you can ask. Is that a service dog required for a disability? Yes she is. What task/tasks does she preforme to medigate you for your disability? She's a medical alert dog. She let's me know before I have a seizure.
and joseph, the amount of people in america that use this law for their pets is too high and the real service dogs are being denied access more then in canada
@@DedraAmbroseandSnow The amount of ignorance regarding service dogs is staggering. Honestly it’s the owner’s responsibility to to teach their manager’s and then the manager’s need to teach the rest of the staff, but it seems like a huge amount of restaurants, convenience stores, etc. simply have no idea what the law is.
Use AirBNB, they have it specifically written into their policies: Are hosts required to accept assistance animals? Generally, yes, unless there is a threat to health or safety (see below). At Airbnb, we acknowledge that assistance animals are not the same as pets and serve a crucial function for their owner. As stated in our Nondiscrimination Policy, hosts are expected to reasonably accommodate reservations where an assistance animal may be present, even if their listing/house rules state “no pets”.
Someone who lives as your neighbor to the south. The Americans with Disabilities Act is also being bashed. For making it hard for “registered” service animals (pets I should say) to go into public places. No training for those dogs. They are given the royal treatment while teams like me and my psychiatric and medical alert service dog in training is denied access or questioned illegally passed the two allowed questions or harassed by the public and businesses because of my invisible disabilities.
People's experiences like this make me wish I had the money to open a BnB specifically for people with service dogs, complete with the best dog park the dogs have been to in their entire lives.
Alright, I'm gonna go out on a limb here and accept the interpretation that this BnB is a person's home and if they have no employees and don't want a dog in their house they can do that. Fine, they're jerks, but fine. There are plenty of BnB's where you need a personal reference from a family friend to book, so fine, be picky. Why did this woman deliberately try to get a room there after her friend was turned away? Are there no other BnB's in cottage country? I mean, we've turned up an underlying issue, but I feel like this has gone really out of proportion. Are we going to go full media on the next BnB that only has stairs because it's in someone's house and renovating isn't in their business plans?
Exactly, I'm a disabled person with many physical and health issues and I'm trying to get a service dog before college. I don't think that private home businesses should be forced to accommodate those with animals. Yeah, it sucks and all but I'm actually allergic to dogs. I'm taking allergy shots but I've met people that doesn't even know that these shots exist. I'm sorry, but the safety of others comes before one person with a dog. Plus, this is a private business in someone's personal home, not a hotel. They are not under the same regulations and guidelines. Geez
No. It stops being a "private home" when you turn it into a rentable property for the public. If they cant figure that out then they need to either stop or move out. And its not "fine". They are monsters and need their business destroyed.
Agree that they have the right to turn business away, but to threaten people with a legal cease letter because they complained online? That's unacceptable
It took the news to send the businesses and those who live and work wherever they want to back off and NOT treat those of us who also live and work wherever we want to either comply with the state law, the federal law, the Constitution of the United States of America, and the Americans with Disabilities Act or face serious problems for their blatant discrimination against those of us who are NOT them.
This ignorant people who don't let these service dogs in there places should be arrested, some of this people really depend on there dogs and these animals are very expensive to train. Plus they help people who have served in our military with PTSD.Stop Making it hard for these people who need there service dogs to survive
If the BNB states animals are Not allowed then people should respect their home and go somewhere where animals are allowed. Stop BULLYING the BNB owners.
Freedom of association. The business should have the right to turn her away. What about customers who would stay at the hotel who have allergies? Dont they have any rights?
You might be just trolling, but if not... I'm not sure of the laws in Ontario, Canada (edit: just checked and in Ontario, Canada they have a similar act to the U.S. ADA called AODA with fines that can range from 50,000 to 100,000), but if you are in the U.S., and you took that action then your business could be reported to the proper government officials, they'll investigate the matter and fine your 'arse for violating the Americans with Disabilities Act which can be as much as $75,000 for the first offense. I worked for a small business owner who operated a used automobile dealership and car rental company who was just as obstinant and ignorant as you were. The sales office was only accessible via a flight of stairs and did not have a wheelchair-accessible ramp. Several of us told him he really needed to put one in, but he refused, stating it was his business, his property, and he wasn't going to waste money on a ramp because no one in a wheelchair was going to come and shop for a car at his dealership. Well, someone who was confined to a wheelchair showed up one day to come in and buy a van. The owner told him he had to come in to do the paperwork, but the guy couldn't get into the sales building because of the stairs. The disabled customer reported it to the city and US Dept of Justice. My boss at the time was ordered to put in a wheelchair ramp, but he tried to fight it. Long story, short, he lost, was fined $70,000 plus had to pay court and lawyer fees, and was ordered to put in a wheelchair-accessible ramp to the sales office within 30-days or face additional fines. I don't know if he kept trying to fight it or eventually complied because I and several other employees quit shortly after the incident.
@@Mind-Over-Body it’s law duh. Service dogs are not pets, there defines as medical equipment, same as telling someone who needs oxygen “sorry you can’t bring that gross medical need in here” deny a service dog then enjoy big fines. Service dogs are held to high standard to be CLEAN and well behaved but idiots could care less about law
@@danielledewitt1 That's already disgusting. I would never eat at a place that had a dog. But this is their home and they don't want these disgusting animals in their home. Neither does anyone with a sense of hygiene.
@@julieeverett7442 No they don't. As soon as it becomes a place of business open to the public, it is subject to all applicable laws. Just because you dont like that doesnt make it untrue.
"B&B's are private homes" Sure they are untill you start offering people a service in exchange for Canadian dollars to which you add a sales tax and municipal / Federal laws Once you are open to the Public It's just that "Public" not private And you can not pick a Type of race, gender, disability, faith. Having a "private setting" on there website Means Paying customers have the right to be a part of the private settings ..Nothing more or less They are not confined to a room during the payment of having just a room lol
This is Canada right? In America people with service dogs can go wherever they want. It’s a Federal crime for a business to refuse service to people with service dogs.
@Bos Fla Ok, I guess I should have rephrased. Service dogs can go wherever the PUBLIC would normally go. A “normal” person wouldn’t just go into a restaurant kitchen, or certain areas of zoos like the feeding areas. Since private clubs are private, they can deny service to anybody who isn’t a member. And you are right about places of worship. I forget the actual rule on that, but they are at least restricted in some way. And they’re also not allowed in hospital rooms during surgery, but I believe they’re allowed to be in hospital recovery rooms.
This sort of thing makes me angry, it's like saying "We don't allow any disabled people in our BnB, you need to leave." Under the ADA Law, you cannot turn away anyone who has a Service Animal, they can go anywhere the Public can go.
The AirB&B and their lawyer in this video should cease and desist their operations and business licenses because they discriminate against people with disabilities, discriminate against the real service animals, and violate the Americans with Disabilities Act.
may is say this effffff bnb plus deny to any person the accommodation, services or facilities available in any place to which the public is customarily admitted which means that bnb cant deny them
The ADA in the states is much clearer. A service animal is to be allowed access to any place, business or area where the public is allowed. Seems to me Canada needs to take a clue from our law. No loopholes.
Seriously??? Do they not understand this is a violation of the ADA state and federal laws. The greatest defense is the truth. Congratulations you are now internet famous and your cease and desist letter means nothing when this goes viral.
What they did was very distasteful but under current law, businesses do have the right to refuse service. But if I owned the B&B I would have tried my best to accommodate the lady and her dog. After all, she's a paying customer and you should never turn away money... those at the B&B were acting snobbish.
The same argument with service dogs can be used for guns. Just because someone else is uncomfortable with your gun does not mean that they have the right to ban it or infringe on your right to Cary if it is a public place. Or a public business. And yes even a federal building. If you draw that weapon inside building then and only then if you're not threatened in the doing so of it should you have any issue. Police carry guns in federal buildings all the time. Where have you police who are servents to the people allowed to do this and not the people themselves? You assume wrongdoing and criminality when there is none. Why not assume sanity instead and Common Sense instead?
I really believe that the laws gonna have to change. You have to change the laws. You’re gonna have to protect these people and their service dogs.. And if they are harmed in anyway, there has got to be a lost it to protect these people I am serious. Everybody has got issues and we do not discriminate because they have a service dog. You do not discriminate people.
I understand a service dog should not be refused but if you have an establishment that you want your establishment to read "no pets allowed" so that people who prefer to not stay somewhere with pets have been. I understand that. I don't think it was against her. You have to realize people are allergic to animals also.
@Bos Fla Understood but is a dog not a dog whether a pet or a service dog? Do you think someones allergy to dogs is going to care if that dog is a service dog or not? That is my point.
@Bos Fla Again I understand that fact but If I am severally allergic to dogs my allergies don't care about the dog begin considered medical equipment by law. And again, I am not fighting against the dog being allowed because it is a service dog and is needed but I just wanted to put out another point of view.
Cool Then they shouldn’t open it up to the public if they are not willing to accommodate the disabled who have genuine needs for their service animals.
@@shakeyj4523 Well I'm not planning on it but if I wanted to I would. And I definitely wouldn't let some disgusting dog in it. Most of these worthless animals aren't even seeing eye dogs. Just emotional support nonsense for morons.
@@toddplummer1187 no. the moment they decide to make it air bnb means it's a business. and it should be subject to the same regulations as other businesses.
To Sunrise Bed & Breakfast: You should lose your freedom for discrimination against people with disabilities and violation of Americans with Disabilities Act. Also, your lawyers should lose his/her job and his/her freedom for the same reasons.
The lawyer is wrong they did not have the legal right to deny them service. Clearly just flat out bullying. (I respect your opinion if you think otherwise)
To the Sunrise B&B: YOU MUST COMPLY WITH THE AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT! YOU ARE VIOLATING IT! SHUT DOWN AND RETRAIN YOURSELVES RIGHT NOW OR FACE SERIOUS CHARGES AND JAILTIME!
Shadow The Monster She booked a BnB and informed them she had a guide dog, but she obviously has done so waaay to late if she “has no where to turn... or stay” and can’t find another place. If she did inform them in advance she would easily be able to find another BnB.
