Seeing Eye Dog
by
The Federal Americans with Disabilities Act states that it is against the law to discriminate against a person based on disability. Under the same law, if that person uses a service animal, then a place of public accommodation - like a motel - cannot refuse service.
So when a Clarksville motel allegedly refused to allow a blind man to check in because of the man’s Seeing Eye dog, the man was upset.
His name is Michael Turner. He has been blind since a motorcycle accident in 1999.
The 37 year old now travels with his certified guide dog, Amberz.
“He guides me around and keeps me safe and secure,” Turner said.
According to a Clarksville police report, on August 10th, 2009, Turner stopped at the Microtel Inns-Suites in Clarksville with his wife and 3 year old son..
“I called in advance and said I am blind coming in with my Seeing Eye dog, and the woman says there are no dogs. I said I’m in the parking lot, I’ll be in in a moment to speak with you.”
Even though Amberz is obviously a service animal, Turner said motel management refused to rent him a room.
“I explained calmly and softly it is against the law to do this you are violating my civil rights. This is a Seeing Eye dog, I am blind.”
Turner says the clerk called police. He waited and explained his position to law officers.
“Were you obnoxious?” Andy asked.
“No sir.”
“What happened when the cops came?”
“I wanted an incident report. I felt my rights were violated. Not only my federal rights, but also my rights as a Tennessee citizen,” Turner said.“I felt like Betsy Smith, in the 1950’s trying to sit in the front seat of a bus, and told to go in the back!!”
“So you told the clerk the law?” Andy asked.
“Yes. I explained, calmly and softly, it is against the law for you to do this. You are violating my civil rights. This is a Seeing Eye dog. I am blind, I let her know I am blind and I need this animal to travel with, and it is against the law for you to refuse me, entry into the hotel. She became facetious and obnoxious. She said the owner said, no matter what kind of dog it was, no dogs are not allowed. I repeated the law again.”
Turner says the police filled out a police incident report, and he went to the court and swore out a warrant against the motel clerk the next day.
“Did this bother you?” Andy asked.
“Yes, very much. I never felt the impact of my blindness for ten years. I am persevering and going to college, and now I question my blindness: am I not equal to everyone else?”
That’s Messed Up went to the motel and asked to speak with the owner. While waiting at the front desk, Andy saw a sign that clearly indicates no pets are allowed.
Nick Patel, the General Manager, is listed in the Clarksville Police report.
Andy explained Turner’s story to him, “A man I interviewed, Michael Turner, is blind. He claims he was refused service here, and you wouldn’t let him stay here with his seeing eye dog, which is a service animal. Now there is a court case, so he asked me to get your side of the story. He feels you did him wrong.”
“You have to talk to the owner,” Patel said.
“Well go get him,” Andy responded.
After a few minutes, Nick Patel returned and stated that the owner has no comment.
A day later That’s Messed Up called the motel and again asked the owner to respond to the story. We did not get a call back.
“This is not right. This is America. No matter your disability, your creed, your ethnic race you cannot discriminate and this needs to stop,” Turner told us.
According to the Montgomery County D.A.’s office, the case from this past summer is still in the court system and is scheduled to be presented to the Grand Jury in March.
The charge is “guide dogs to be admitted.” If found guilty, it’s a class C misdemeanor.
Mr. Turner tells Messed Up he just filed a complaint with the U.S. Department of Justice in Washington, D.C.
When notified of the law suit, Kenton Dickerson with the Independent Living Center of Middle Tennessee responded,
“The Americans with Disabilities Act recognizes that service animals such as Seeing Eye dogs are not pets. They are highly trained animals that enable their owners to be independent. Because of this, the law says that public accommodations such as restaurants, hotels, etc. cannot ban them.”
