Dog owners used pets for ‘emotional support’ to get seat at restaurants

GB News - News

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Pet owners across the country are passing off their dogs as "emotional support animals" in order to gain access to pubs, restaurants, cafés and supermarkets that would otherwise refuse them entry.Charities including Assistance Dogs UK and Guide Dogs for the Blind have raised growing concerns about individuals exploiting equality legislation designed to protect disabled people with genuine assistance dogs.The trend appears to have accelerated since the covid-era surge in dog ownership, with charities suggesting owners have developed an expectation that their pets should be welcome everywhere.Business owners are reportedly flooding charity helplines seeking guidance on which animals they must legally admit, with staff describing scenes of dogs "causing chaos in cafés".

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TRENDING Stories Videos Your Say Under current law, refusing entry to a disabled person accompanied by an assistance dog is illegal.

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However, emotional support animals, a concept more prevalent in America, have no legal...

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