Chloe the Service Dog and Owner are Denied Access to Wal Mart
- by: Sylva Penkov, Private Party
- recipient: Wal Mart Wal Mart, Service Dog Denied Access into Wal Mart, Wal-Mart
We had a recent experience at Walmart that was very unfortunate and I would like to ask your help to receive news coverage to help ensure the dignity and rights of those individuals depending upon Service Dogs and hopefully educate the public and businesses of Service Dog rights and American Pit Bull Terrier prejudice. Here are the key points of interest: 1.Walmart’s Illegal Treatment of Service Dogs .
PLEASE CONTACT (CHOLE'S MOM) Gina Pettrow [live2thefullest04@yahoo.com] TO SHARE YOUR OWN WAL MART EXPERIENCES. SHE IS LOOKING FORWARD TO HEARING FROM YOU.
PLEASE CONTACT (CHOLE'S MOM) Gina Pettrow [live2thefullest04@yahoo.com] TO SHARE YOUR OWN WAL MART EXPERIENCES. SHE IS LOOKING FORWARD TO HEARING FROM YOU.
- •Two Walmart managers requested myself and my Service Dog to leave because of her breed stating there were children in the store and she is an unstable and vicious breed - They continued to asked us to leave EVEN AFTER being informed of our Service Dog legal rights and what they were asking was illegal!
Please send your comments to:
http://walmartstores.com/GlobalWMStoresWeb/navigate.do?catg=221
Chloe's website:
www.chloethepitbull.com
Updated information:
http://www.freewebs.com/chloethepitbull/walmartsdiscrimination.htm
PLEASE GO TO BOTTOM OF PAGE FOR MORE INFORMATION
Legal rights of people depending upon Service Dogs and the uniqueness of Service Dogs
- •Legal rights of people depending upon Service Dogs access to all public facilities, with no discrimination of treatment, etc which is established to preserve their the dignity, freedom, and rights.•Thousands of dollars in fines for not only the individual people breaking the ADA law, but also thousands for the company they represent•Service Dogs come in all sizes and breeds - Chihuahuas, Pomeranians, American Pit Bull Terriers , etc. -- Many people only think they are for blind people, but they are also used for medical alerts, balance dogs, hearing dogs, etc) might mention there are monkeys and miniature horses that are used as Service Animals as well
3.Increasing public fear is fed by ignorance and prejudice – The American Pit Bull Terrier bad image overshadows the positive long history of this amazing breed and great value to society
- •There are American Pit Bull Terriers providing valuable services today - Search & Rescue (Recovery of the 2003 Shuttle Astronaut Remains), Drug Detection (Largest drug bust found by a American Pit Bull Terrier), Service Dogs and Therapy Dogs, etc.•Amazing pets - Petey from Our Gang, Theodore Roosevelt, Helen Keller, Michael J. Foxx, etc. Millions now happy owners•Sad Realities - prejudice similar to Racial Profiling, Breed Specific Legislation (BSL), shrinking rights of owners & dogs (banned from different cities, home insurance coverage, etc) and its NOT solving the problem which comes down to Responsible Ownership!
We are looking for media coverage to:
- 1.Help preserve the dignity, freedom, and rights of people depending upon Service Dogs by educating Businesses and the Public on their ADA 1990 legal rights and the uniqueness of Service Dogs2.Help remove ignorance and prejudice by positive promotion of the American Pit Bull Terrier value and merits
Background of incident
On the evening of February 8th, I was shopping at the Huntington Beach Walmart with my Service Dog (Chloe) and daughter for approx 1/2 hour. Chloe was extremely well behaved. The Customer Service Manager approached us and asked us to leave because “there are children in the store and we can't have a vicious breed in here.” I was stunned and went over Chloe's training, that she was an Ambassador for her breed, and emphasized what she was asking me to do was illegal according to 1990 American Disability Act 1990. The Walmart Customer Service Manager said that she represented the Store Manager's position as well, and she still did not feel comfortable with the dog in the store and asked us to leave. I again emphasized what she was asking was illegal and to carefully consider what she was asking me. She again asked if we could go, and then when I pressed her for it in writing, she said to finish my shopping quickly and not to linger. I told her I wanted to talk to the Store Manager and followed her upfront. After checking out, I asked her when he was coming - she said he look for us and is now busy. She confirmed it was his decision also and they just got off the phone. I said I would wait and to call him again, she said it would be a while and to go because “it won't matter.”
I left and called our OC HUGS Service Dog president. and then called the Store Manager with her conferenced in. I first confirmed his position that he wanted us to go because of our Service Dog's breed and he said and elaborated his prejudice opinions, stating they were an 'unstable and vicious' breed and banned from different cities. He said he was aware of the Service Dogs and their rights, but he had never seen a Pitbull Service Dog in his 20 years. He also emphasized that it was our responsibility to educate the public and we shared that is what are trying to do starting with him. He was closed minded in his opinions, rude and insensitive, and finally apologized when pressed for one. The incident is still on record and should have never happened.
What has been done so far:
- •Have written a formal complaint to corporate Walmart, with phone call to corporate as well. Will be following up with the Regional Manager. Also went back with Chloe and our OC HUGS Service Dog president and another service dog. Several employees approached us with interesting statements•Have verified legal rights of the American Pit Bull Terrier as a Service Dog and also a Service Dog in training with an attorney, who by the way, has a American Pit Bull Terrier Service Dog!•Contacting multiple media outlets regarding this incident and issues to help educate and stop the prejudice and illegal treatment of dogs - So far, ABC Channel 7 news provided news coverage (view pictures - view Story teaser - full news coverage upload pending), working with a local newspaper, and working with a radio station --- hopefully, we will have more coverage to provide education --- pls help us get this important story out.• Update our website with Service Dog information, and highlighting Chloe the Service Dog as a Breed Ambassador, her photo/portfolio/capabilities and information on responsible ownership the American Pit Bull Terrier challenges and resources
HOW YOU CAN HELP
1.1) Go to the send Corporate Walmart online feedback and scroll to the form on the bottom: http://walmartstores.com/GlobalWMStoresWeb/navigate.do?catg=221
Some key points - (Stacey's is a great letter!) - BTW, I got a call from a man with polio that had a Pitbull Service Dog for 15 years and he received the same treatment from another Walmart.
- How upset you are on Walmart's ILLEGAL treatment
- What it means to you as a shopper (whether you will continue to shop or not)
- What you want from them - training for their employees, respectful treatment of Service Dogs, and public apology and support
2) Share with us your thoughts and positive and negative experiences so we can compile for the media as well - live2thefullest04@yahoo.com
3) Forward this to your newsgroups, media, and other supporters --- again, we are trying to:
- Help preserve the dignity, freedom, and rights of people depending upon Service Dogs by educating Businesses and the Public on their American with Disabilities Act (ADA) 1990 legal rights and the uniqueness of Service Dogs
- 2.Help remove ignorance and prejudice of the American Pit Bull Terrier by the positive promotion of their value and merits
4) Thank the ABC Channel 7 news for the positive coverage and support of the Disables Rights and the positive image of Pitbulls (Shown on 5pm News 2/12/07) http://abclocal.go.com/kabc/story?section=stationinfo&id=1642694
Appreciate your support on helping us get balanced news coverage! Please feel free to contact me at 562-895-1328, live2thefullest04@yahoo.com. Please view Chloe’s website at: www.freewebs.com/chloethepitbull to find out more about this special dog and the American Pit Bull Terrier plight. Let’s stop the ignorance and prejudice!
1.
See more petitions:
You have JavaScript disabled. Without it, our site might not function properly.
By signing, you accept Care2's Terms of Service.
You can unsub at any time here.
Having problems signing this? Let us know.