A Sydney barber is being investigated by police after allegedly refusing entry to a single mom and her information canine.
Marilena Osborne informed 7NEWS she has “very low” imaginative and prescient and depends on her beloved canine Hamilton to assist her navigate her manner.
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She mentioned she was surprised when she took her son to a barber in Jannali two weeks in the past however was turned away.
“I used to be deeply shocked, saddened and insulted,” Osborne mentioned.
“I really feel as if we had been handled like second-rate residents.”
Barbershop staff informed 7NEWS that the Osbornes had been refused entry as a result of staff had been afraid of the canine.
“A few weeks in the past a canine bit my leg,” Tariq Altmeme mentioned.
Colleague Ali Altmeme added they “have canines outdoors” as a result of they’re “afraid of canines”.
Osborne mentioned Hamilton is “very calm and quiet when he’s working”.
“There may be nothing scary about this canine,” she mentioned. “He has been specifically educated to only information me across the place.”
Osborne’s son mentioned he didn’t perceive why they had been denied entry.
“I used to be confused, I did not know why we weren’t allowed a canine,” he informed 7NEWS.
“He is allowed wherever.”
An ongoing difficulty
Underneath the Companion Animals Act in NSW, it’s unlawful to refuse entry to folks with Information Canine.
However Information Canine Australia mentioned greater than a 3rd of Information Canine handlers throughout the nation reported being denied entry to a public venue or type of transport due to their Information Canine up to now 12 months.
“Alarmingly, the identical proportion reported a discriminatory refusal left them feeling unsafe or in peril throughout their time as a Information Canine handler,” the group mentioned.
Information Canine NSW added refusals proceed to be “an ongoing difficulty” for a lot of Information Canine handlers.
“In all states and territories throughout Australia, a Information Canine in harness with their handler is legally allowed to enter all public locations, together with public transport and taxi/ride-shares, with it being an offense to disclaim or cost a price for the entry of a Information Canine,” a spokesperson informed 7NEWS.com.au.
“Whereas the group typically does the suitable factor, we ask everybody to rethink the implications of telling a Information Canine handler ‘No’. That is the precise reverse of the liberty and independence a Information Canine is supposed to deliver into somebody’s life.”
Osborne has reported the incident to the police, who’re investigating the matter.
