Call To Create Official Register Of Assistance Dogs

Groups representing assistance dog users are calling for “stronger legal protections” to protect disabled people who say they are being discriminated against in public spaces.

Campaigners, lead by Assistance Dogs UK (ADUK), say they are often refused access to shops, restaurants, public transport and other services because of their assistance dogs.

Vicky Worthington, executive director of ADUK, said: “Current laws fall short of providing the clarity, protection and consistency needed to ensure fair treatment.”

A government spokesperson said it was illegal for a premises to refuse entry to someone with an assistance dog “with very few exceptions”.

Garry Botterill, a former Sussex Police officer and founder of Service Dogs UK, said there should be a mandatory assistance dog register to give bars, restaurants and other facilities the reassurance that they are legitimate.

“The definition of assistance dogs isn’t great in law, there is no requirement for people to train their dogs to a high standard, to be under an umbrella organisation,” he said.

Mr Botterill explained that people will buy jackets for their dogs to make it appear as though they are service animals.

“That makes it really difficult for service providers to recognise what is a well-trained assistance dog and what is someone utilising something from the internet to make their dog looks like an assistance dog,” he said.

Jordan Chapman, who lives in Coulsdon, Surrey, is a British Army veteran and paramedic who has been partnered with PTSD assistance dog Teddy for three years.

He agrees there should be a database of assistance dogs.

“We have to be sensible with how we apply that, but absolutely there should be a national register to meet a minimum standard of training,” he said.

Mr Chapman explained how he was refused entry to a restaurant, which he regularly visited before having Teddy, because of their dog policy.

“Unfortunately, that’s just a normal thing,” he said.

Toni Brown Griffin, from Tunbridge Wells in Kent, said she was sometimes “shadowed” by security staff when walking around stores or has been refused entry to certain premises altogether.

“It can be quite intimidating,” she said.

Ms Brown Griffin said there was an increasing problem with pet dogs making a nuisance of themselves to working dogs.

She said businesses react to poorly-trained dogs “yapping and weeing” by banning all dogs.

Research from Assistance Dogs International and the International Guide Dog Federation found 43% of assistance dog handlers were refused access to a premises in the past year and 65% reported problems caused by dogs misrepresented as assistance dogs.

Campaigners are heading to parliament on Tuesday to ask the government to strengthen legislation, including by “clearly defining assistance dogs in law, ensuring consistent expectations for training, behaviour and welfare”.

ADUK said it wanted legislative change, but was not calling for a register at this time.

The government spokesperson said: “No one deserves to be held back or treated unfairly because of their disability and the Equality Act 2010 protects everyone against discrimination and ensures disabled people have the right to be treated equally.

“It is illegal to refuse entry to a disabled person with an assistance dog – with very few exceptions.

“Where individuals are concerned they have been a victim of discrimination, there is advice available through the Equality Advisory and Support Service.”