The Antelope Valley Times

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Local dispute erupts over service dogs vs. right to refuse service

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Louis Zaharopoulos said he has served local veterans for 20 years at Louis Burgers, located at 44328 10th Street W. in Lancaster. The restaurant owner claims he was well within his rights to refuse service to local disabled veteran who did not provide paperwork to prove his dog was a service animal.
Louis Zaharopoulos said he has served local veterans for 20 years at Louis’ Burgers, currently located at 44328 10th Street W. in Lancaster. The restaurant owner claims he was well within his rights to refuse service to a local disabled veteran who did not provide paperwork to prove his dog was a service animal.

LANCASTER – The AV Times was asked to look into a recent incident involving a local disabled veteran who said he was forced to leave a restaurant after the owner refused to accept the man’s dog as a service animal.

Robert Leahy of Palmdale, a U.S. Army veteran who says he lost his leg in a service-related accident, claims the owner of Louis’ Burgers on 10th Street W. in Lancaster demanded paperwork to prove his dog was a service animal.

The restaurant owner, Louis Zaharopoulos, said he does not believe the dog is a service animal – it’s a liability to his business and customers.

U.S. Army veteran Robert Leahy claims he was “rudely and illegally thrown out" of Louis Burgers in Lancaster because of his service dog, Sadie. (Contributed photo of Leahy and Sadie)
U.S. Army veteran Robert Leahy claims he was “rudely and illegally thrown out” of Louis Burgers in Lancaster because of his service dog, Sadie. (Contributed photo of Leahy and Sadie)

The incident grew beyond a disagreement between the two men once Leahy shared the story on social media this week.

San Fernando Valley resident Carol Stephens contacted the restaurant to check out the story for herself after reading Leahy’s post in the Facebook group, Growing Up In AV 60s 70s 80s.

“I have a service dog myself and have run into some problems in the past,” Stephens said. “He didn’t seem to know what to do, and I’m a doer – so I did.”

Stephens said she spoke to a woman who identified herself as a manager of Louis’ Burgers and was told that Leahy was denied service because of “health department rules that demand and require to see documentation” for a service dog.

But Stephens disagreed with the Louis’ Burgers manager, saying the Americans with Disabilities Act prevents businesses from seeking any documentation to prove that a dog is a service animal.

According to ADA requirements on service animals, only limited inquiries by businesses are allowed when it is not obvious what service an animal provides a person. Specifically, the law does not allow a business to “require medical documentation, require a special identification card or training documentation for the dog, or ask that the dog demonstrate its ability to perform the work or task.”

The ADA also states that establishments selling or preparing food “must allow service animals in public areas even if state or local health codes prohibit animals on the premises.”

Stephens provided her own explanation to why documentation is not required, saying “there is no Federal standard for guidelines at this time, and what I’ve been told is that they just don’t have formal rules for this yet. That’s why it’s not needed.”

Leahy said his dog, Sadie, has been trained to help him up and down the stairs. Sadie is equipped with a full harness and leader, helping to stabilize his walk, while also serving as a break when he is unable to stop on downhill momentum, he said.

“She fits the qualifications of such an animal to the letter,” Leahy said. “She is often mistaken for a pit bull when in fact she’s an American Staffordshire Terrier, a totally different dog.”

Zaharopoulos does not see the difference.

“No, no, this is a big lie. The dog is a pit bull,” the restaurant owner said. “He has a pit bull and he wants me to allow his pit bull in the restaurant. The only dogs allowed by the health department to come into the restaurant are service dogs. I don’t make the laws.”

Zaharopoulos stands by his belief that documentation is required by law to prove that a dog is being used as a service animal. He explained that the dog must “have a special harness and also (owners) have paperwork so they can show it to everyone. Then you can tell if it’s a service dog or not. And by law I’m not allowed to have (non-service) dogs in this restaurant.”

The business owner said he knows of 10 different customers who use service dogs on a regular basis at his restaurant, but he stands firm on where to draw the line: “I’m not going to allow a pit bull – that’s a big liability for me, and I cannot do it by law.”

Still, Leahy denies that Sadie is a pit bull and believes that the law supports his right to use her as a service animal. “But he wouldn’t hear me,” Leahy said. “He just flung the door open for us and told us to get out.”

The restaurant owner explained he was well within his rights. “You have to be in the restaurant business to understand what I’m talking about,” Zaharopoulos said. “If the health department says I cannot do this, then I cannot do this.”

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About the author

Jim E. Winburn is freelance reporter covering news of public interest.
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Filed Under: Lancaster

307 comments for "Local dispute erupts over service dogs vs. right to refuse service"

  1. Very interesting article, the manager was in her rights to ask to see the documentation for the service dog, once shown and proven, he has the right to bring his emotional support animal inside the restaurant according the ADA law. The restaurant could be held reliable if the dog owner wanted to press any charges. To find out more information about emotional support animal laws you can check them out here: http://www.certapet.com

    • Cody, you should read the Americans With Disabilities Act. The Government does NOT issue documentation for service animals, and prohibits the manager from even asking for it. The only 2 questions the law allows are: is it a service animal? And what service has it been trained to perform?

    • Emotional support animals ARE NOT SERVICE DOGS. You have no idea what you are talking about. An ESA does not require anything but a doctor’s not allowing the handler to keep their dog on airplanes and in housing even if there is a “no pet” policy that’s it.

      Service Animal can only be a dog (and a miniature horse) and is protected by the Americans Disablity Act. This animal is trained to do at least one task that the handler can not otherwise do to improve their function in society. There is no government issued paper work or registration. All ‘license’ and paperwork are done over the internet by privately owned companies making money off of people with disabilities. The only thing the owner can do is ask “is this a service dog” and “what does it do”. Any breed can become a service dog even pit bulls and it is against the law to discriminate based on breeds. He is not suppose to ask for documentation or require the dog to wear service vest of any kind. Go to the ADA website and read it. This owner was completely in the wrong. ADA laws overrule health codes unless the service dog is unruly, dangerous or dirty. Ignorance is no excuse.

      • Pit bulls are one of several dogs labeled as dangerous by insurance. Many rental agreement WILL NOT rent to you because of this. Absolutely out of a business owners hands and he WILL lose his insurance policy if found to violate it. No insurance-no business. State will shut you down. Now what? Stop being so sanctimonious. This is ENTIRELY ADA fault for allowing this to happen without ANYA guidelines. Logically if a “service dog” is a medical device(as some animals can detect seizure, low blood etc) then a doctor should be issuing a licence under them. Makes sense? To have the ADA issue a blanket policy without proof of paperwork, tags, training, rigorous medical evaluation by a licensed doctor should be fraudulent. Sort of like getting an online degree from an uncredited school. Plenty of degrees for sale online. This has to be tightened up pronto. Who ever heard of getting ANY medical device that helps psychologically or medically from the internet? Outside of a medical facility under doctors order. Seriously?

        • Wow, it is amazing how narrow minded those who continuously provide insurance companies with the idea that their law, supercedes federal law.

          I can and will continue to point out NUMEROUS “pit” bulls, American Staffordshire Terrier. Rottweilers, German Shepherds (currently one of the top 10 supposed most vicious dogs) as service dogs that continually make those with disabilities, including our Veterans who give up a great deal of their life to put forth the freedom for these people to EVEN OWN their own business. When you open your doors to serve the public, I would HOPE that you, as a responsible American and business owner, would know what laws you have to answer for.

          First of all, the stigmata of the “pitty” is truly sickening. Back when the Omen was made, it was the Rotty, prior to that it was Dobermans, NOW it’s anything that remotely resembles a stocky and muscular looking dog. Just by looking at this dog, (And you can easily do a DNA test that costs to show what percentage of this dog is (if any) falls into that Pit category.) she is too tall to be a full blooded pit and you cannot segregate and consistently blanket statement against any dog that resembles or even has just the hint of pit in them. It’s kind of like saying that because you are black that you’re a gang-banger or rapper, or if you are Hispanic that you are an illegal alien.

          Come on people, these people DO NOT want to just drag their dogs to gain attention, or just to gain MORE attention. Most of these people, in fact, want quite the opposite. They want to eat dinner out, grocery shop just like you and your Auntie Mae. They want to live as normally as possible and for you to “think” that this dog has a gene in it, does not mean you can segregate just because you act like it.

          Personally, had I been put in this situation (and yes I have because I do not have a ‘visible’ disability) I have been harassed, threatened and cornered about certain things about my SD. And yes, the police have been called, and EVEN THE HEALTH Department… Who have actually upheld the federal laws regarding service animals.

          The one thing that the business owner CAN do is ask them to leave if the dog is out of control, barking, showing aggression, or is obviously having a house-training issues. THAT IS THE ONLY TIME THEY CAN BE ASKED TO LEAVE LEGALLY.

          Will enjoy seeing this man win in court and shut this business down because they are too shallow minded and entirely too idiotic to know that if there was an INsurance company who rejected them business insurance because they honored the Federal ADA laws… I wouldn’t be doing business with them and reporting them to BBB and the United States Department of Justic and Civil Rights Division.

          This harassment of our disabled vets must stop and that has been my goal since I have been training service dogs and supporting their use I have consistently seen the hypocrisy of those who wish to place stigmata’s on K9’s because of overblown media hype and by placing the blame on the entire breed…

          It’s the Deed, NOT the breed.

    • Cody, the dog is not an emotional support dog!!! The man has one leg, do I really need to day more? And NO ONE HAS THE RIGHT TO ASK FOR ANY PAPERS!!!! you are allowed to ask 2 ? is that your service dog and what service or task does he or she do? He should have called the police.

  2. I tried to stay neutral about this entire issue because we are new to the AV from Sherman Oaks and my wife and daughters and I have eaten there a few times in the couple of months that we’ve lived out here- even caught the classic car show one beautiful Saturday, but I want to also point out that this establishment overcharges customers ALL THE TIME!!!! Customers BEWARE!!!! especially if you go through the drive-thru with a debit card like we have. THEY don’t give you the itemized reciept with your order- I’ve started asking for mine because I had my doubts about being overcharged in the past. it has happened to my wife and as well as to people I know. They “claim” that they have a $1.99 burger, but they DON’T tell you that if you order it with cheese – THEY CHARGE YOU DOUBLE FOR CHEESE!!!!

    the burger is $1.99 and the cheese is $1.40 ?

    that’s a $3.50 burger!!!! Trickery!

    but they DON’T tell you they charge you TWICE for cheese. they tell you cheese is 69 cents. Today I argued with the “owner” about it because to me, and to several other former customers- it is an obvious “scam” Just imagine how many 69 cheese overcharges go un-noticed by unsuspecting customers daily. Hey Louie’s Burgers, how about don’t rip us off???? too bad – some of your food is pretty good, but your lies and the way you treat your customers. . . slowly but surely you’re losing customers. Especially the way that the “owner woman” treated me when I showed her on my itemized reciept – that I had been overcharged for cheese ( her response was very confrontational and she justified that ;yes, Louie’s charges for 2 slices of cheese on the $1.99 burgers without notifying the customers) she said “it’s only 69 cents, you are complaining about 69 cents” like it is ok for them to STEAL 69 cents from US customers because it is only 69 cents???? Not just for the Veteran issue that just arose here recently, but because dishonesty goes hand in hand with lack of morality, lack of integrity, and lack of compassion for people in general.
    it’s a damn shame- shame on you “owners of Louie’s Burgers” you lost a good few more customers right here. Never again will I or anyone in my family ever eat there again! BTW- your banana splits suck because you only use soft serve vanilla and NOT real neopolitan ice cream like the pictures on your menu! Yep. I said it. Who messes up a banana split? If you can’t tell the difference between soft serve vanilla and neopolitan ice cream, I’m SURE you can’t tell the difference between a service animal and a pet dog! Dummies.

      • Sounded like he was most put off by the “Yeah we double charge people without telling them, and you caught us, but screw you.” At least that’s how I read it…

  3. I know/knew this man. He is not a US veteran, do not be fooled. He was discharged after only weeks of “service”. He is now a drug user and a woman beater. I also have never seen him with this “service dog” before.

    • Do you by chance recognize that saying “He is not a veteran” and “He was discharged” about the same person means that you are guaranteed to be half wrong? Length of service is not a qualifier.

    • I love it when people don’t identify themselves by name you should call yourself Av liar instead of Av Facter, which isn’t even a word and you’re full of it

    • Who r u to be saying such things about aVETERAN, without ANY proof to back up such slanderous statements? No wonder u won’t put your name on your reply, bcuz u would b held liable in a court of law for making such statements and there u would HAVE TO PROVIDE PROOF that such statements r true or b held accountable for your LIES, with BOTH criminal and civil penalties as your JUST PUNISHMENT. GROW A SET AND US YOUR REAL NAME OR GET GONE LOSER!

  4. Several of my friends have gone in this place to eatt in the last couple weeks these people just don’t want your business they are so rude. charging extra for ketchup packets really? And ice. why anybody would want to eat here but it is beyond me.. Everybody there has an attitude

  5. Louis is a grossly mismanaged place. We ate there twice and after the second time have vowed never to do so again.

    We went for breakfast and I ordered a Denver omelette with NO CHEESE (I am allergic to an enzyme in the cheese making process).

    When the waitress brought the food she plonked the plates in front of us and wondered off. I didn’t even get a chance to tell her it had cheese on it. A few minutes later she walked back around and I told her I’d ordered it with no cheese, that I couldn’t eat this omelette because I have a dairy allergy (I don’t – it’s just an allergy to an enzyme in cheese, but it’s easier to say dairy cause people don’t understand otherwise). She said I shouldn’t have ordered it then, as eggs are dairy (they’re not). I asked her just to make another without cheese, and I saw her, a cook and another person faffing around in the kitchen and whispering.

    A few minutes later she brought it back to me. It looked like a plate of vomit. I figured they’d made it again and scrambled the eggs. Whatever, the rest of my table were done or almost done eating so I cut into it and took a bite. BIG MISTAKE. All they’d done is flip the omelette over onto another plate and scrambled it up a bit, so all the cheese was now on the bottom. I couldn’t believe they thought I was so stupid as to not realise what they did. Like I wouldn’t see it or taste it or something. The server saw me pushing it about with my fork and came over to the table and asked if anything was wrong.

    I gave her the most cutting look I could and told her I’d asked for a new one, not my old one replated. She asked if I wanted it made again and I told her no, they couldn’t be trusted and I wanted my money back. She told me I couldn’t have my money back because I’d taken a bite. WTF!

    • I’ve said a few times I’m not sueing this guy.. For my own personal gain…I can use the money . it’s not about that its principal.. many people have told me I shouldnt let him get away with it.. Especially since they’re. so out right rude and disrespectful to every customer that ever comes in there . in the event I do sue.which I am now considering all proceeds will be given to a charitable organization such as wounded Warriors Project.

      • Who r u to be saying such things about aVETERAN, without ANY proof to back up such slanderous statements? No wonder u won’t put your name on your reply, bcuz u would b held liable in a court of law for making such statements and there u would HAVE TO PROVIDE PROOF that such statements r true or b held accountable for your LIES, with BOTH criminal and civil penalties as your JUST PUNISHMENT. GROW A SET AND US YOUR REAL NAME OR GET GONE LOSER!

        Rob, I’m a veteran of 22-yrs service retired E-7, U.S.M.C., 8541/0326. If u r like most of us vets, u could use the money from this law suit and rightfully deserve it bcuz U, your Service Animal, and ALL veterans, EVERYWHERE, have been WRONGED by this establishment, so therefore u deserve some type of compensation for those wrongs. Do not b bullied into giving it ALL away, not even to such a deserving charity as the “Wounded Warrior Project”, bcuz u r a figurehead for all us disabled veterans, I’m a paraplegic with severe cardio/pulmonary complications due to my parapelegia. Stand for ME, my brother against another form of threat to OUR American way of life as well as a threat to our constitutional rights, which we as veterans swore an oath “to defend the constitution of the United States of America, against ALL enemies, Both foreign and DOMESTIC! Newsflash: when discharged, we never retracted that oath! So now u met a domestic enemy, and u must fight the good fight for all Americans, as well as your brothers, us disabled veterans, EVERYWHERE! Keep some money for yourself, open a restaurant right across the street from those jerks and rake in the money they seemed determined to drive away from their restaurant, u will b RICH! Stay Strong and take the fight to the enemy: Louis Restaurant and this dippy broad who wrote such an inflammatory statement about u and your dog!

      • Dude I really like your videos. I’m considering a service dog for panic attacks but I don’t think I need to take him everywhere with me just to train him to calm my panic attacks which get pretty bad. I am still wondering why you haven’t sued. Please do it. Because until people stand up and fight back business owners won’t wise up. They only speak one language and it’s money. And if you do use please make a video of the process I’d love to see it as would many others I’m sure.

      • Rob, you lived in Killeen and went to Fort Fort. You lost your leg in a motorcycle wreck. What are you doing?

  6. I never did like there place I thought service was bad and they were Rude….never go back there been there once and the Last….

  7. I DONT WANT TO BE IN A RESTAURANT WITH A STINKY DOG SHEDDING HAIR ON MY FOOD, THAT IS SO SICKENING WHO KNOWS WHERE THIS MUT DOG HAS BEEN, WHO KNOWS HOW THIS DERANGED VET LIVES.!

    • Don’t walk outside of your sealed bubble. Dried feces and urine blow in the wind. Humans shed hair all over the place. Birds have mites and they get dropped from heights. Spiders are everywhere. Read up on how many hairs, bug parts and other groddiness are allowed in your prepared foods. It is a real joy killer…. if you worry about it.

    • That so called “deranged vet” is my uncle and I don’t appreciate your attitude towards a great man who served and lost a limb for this country, for YOU! Your lack of compassion and respect is disgusting

    • Gee Lory you’re a real humanitarian. The guy lost a leg protecting you and your freedoms and you act like a real b*tch to him and his service dog. If you have a problem with service dogs then leave the restaurant. They have every right to be there.

    • Then simply don’t eat there. Disabled persons who use service animals to mitigate their disability are allowed by federal and state law to be in all public areas of all public buildings and this includes restaurants. Denying access is illegal discrimination, just like assuming that a US armed forces veteran is “deranged”. It is also illegal to demand identification for the dog…especially if it is wearing a clearly-marked harness indicating that it is a service animal. The business owner may legally ask two questions: “Is the animal a service animal?” and “What specific task has it been trained to perform?” End of story. The owner is committing a criminal offense by interfering with the disabled person, as well as subjecting himself to significant monetary penalties.

    • It is so said that everyone is saying their dogs are service dogs. They sneak them in to resorts and if catch start demanding you can’t ask them any questions. I got my dog a service patch in 10 minutes so i know the game. And the true person using a service dog will call and bring all true papers with #’s. They are very honest people not like all these new fakers. and yes the new thing is to say you were in the military. It should be a crime! as well as anyone faking service or theraphy dogs. Let’s make it a crime!!!

      • If you want to change the law you can proceed with that venture. Regarding “everyone saying their dog is a service dog”, if “everyone” says that their dog is a service dog, then give them the benefit of the doubt that they are telling the truth from their perspective. If a business services the public, then all members of the public have equal access to all services offered at the business regardless of sex, race, disability (whether it is an obvious disability or one not obvious to a casual observer), anything less if the person denied service wishes to can be brought for civil action under California Unruh Civil Rights Act under Cal civil code § 51 & 52 and for several common law torts for discrimination, defamation of character, emotional distress, etc… the Unruh act provides a minimum of $4000 with treble damages, meaning multiply the damages times 3. damages are both special (meaning money you lost) and general meaning harm caused by the torts which can be very substaintial.

        Second, for each time the establishment did violate your rights in this manner the attorney general fines them 55,000 for the first violation and 110,000 for the second and they can also press criminal charges against the owner.

        So anyone who thinks it is ok to judge people and make your own determinations on their rights, think twice because if you violate the rights of someone who knows how to exercise them in law it could cost you tens to hundreds of thousands of dollars, plus isn’t the world a better place when we treat others with respect and appreciation for their uniqueness in this world.

        Lastly, since everyone else is throwing there opinions on law out there, I thought I would throw my opinion on an awesome topic. DOGS…… dogs are angels!! and service animals are angels squared.

    • my dog gets a nice hot bath once a week.. Brushed . nails clipped, her teeth brushed..her ears cleaned.. every other day or so.. She’s cleaner than most people

  8. Why is this so controversial? The law is clear… Business cannot demand paperwork to “prove” whether a service dog has training or not. If the dog was well behaved, they cannot refuse service. The owners disability does not have to be apparent, and the breed of the dog is completely irrelevant. This establishment broke the law, plain and simple.

    • You are correct ADA needs to step in to this one the restaurant owner is breaking the law

  10. Did anyone pay attention to sign on door or window that states. ” we have the RIGHT to REFUSE service to anyone” ?

    • Do you think putting up a sign makes you exempt from federal law? Man, if that were true I would make a fortune selling signs that said “I reserve the right to not pay tax on my income.” What a happy little world you must live in.

      • Do you know WHY they put those signs up?hmmmmm.let’s think about this one….

        • Yeah, I do. And it isn’t because they think it will allow them to break the law (unless they are stupid), so I think you are far off the trail.

          Sign or no sign, a business has the right to refuse service…as long as the grounds for their refusal is not precluded by law. Refusal of service based on a disability is precluded by law, so the sign might as well be toilet paper in this instance.

        • Let me guess…because they are stupid enough to believe that it somehow voids federal laws?

          A business has a right to refuse service…as long as their reason for refusal is not precluded by law. The ADA precludes refusal of service based on disabilities. The Civil Rights Act precludes refusal of service based on race, religion, or national origin.

          If you feel inclined to believe that putting up a sign will fend off the feds and allow you to break these laws without consequence, please reconsider.

        • According to ADA requirements on service animals, only limited inquiries by businesses are allowed when it is not obvious what service an animal provides a person. Specifically, the law does not allow a business to “require medical documentation, require a special identification card or training documentation for the dog, or ask that the dog demonstrate its ability to perform the work or task.”The ADA also states that establishments selling or preparing food “must allow service animals in public areas even if state or local health codes prohibit animals on the premises.”

          • The business owner has a right to refuse service to someone who is posing to have a service dog..so who’s ignoring the law in this picture?

    • The Owner of this place put the sign up for 1 reason… The Riff Raff people that come in to eat from the courthouse across the street that cause issues with everything. I personally have seen this more than 1 time while eating here during that time. I personally along with 5 of my fellow Service Dog Owners.. (3 of which have PIT BULLS) will be staging a protest in the next day or 2, and I would like to see him ask for papers..and I personally will be sure to have him cited and fined the $1000, and have him donate it to ANY PERSON who NEEDS a Service Dog…. Pit Bull, Mastiff, AmStaff, Rottwiller, Sheppard, Husky, Chihuahua…. What Ever it is… A Food Place that charges for Katchup, Ranch, and Ice…. Not Cool Buddy….Not Cool… if anyone would like more info please email me …. servicedoggs.1818@gmail.com

      • He has a right to refuse service to protesters….. Ones with service dogs and ones without.

        • One would assume that protesters don’t plan to eat in the establishment under protest.

  11. Here are the facts per the ADA:
    A person with a disability cannot be
    asked to remove his service animal
    from the premises unless: (1) the dog
    is out of control and the handler does
    not take effective action to control
    it or (2) the dog is not housebroken.
    When there is a legitimate reason to
    ask that a service animal be removed,
    staff must offer the person with the
    disability the opportunity to obtain
    goods or services without the animal’s
    presence

    California
    http://www.leginfo.ca.gov/calaw.html
    Applies to Guide, Hearing, and Service Dogs Accessibility “. . . full and equal access . . . to accommodations, advantages, facilities, medical facilities . . . and privileges of all common carriers . . . railroad trains, motorbuses,streetcars, boats, . . . telephone facilities, adoption agencies, private schools, hotels,lodging places, places of public accommodation, amusement, or resort, and otherplaces to which the general public is invited.” Interference is a misdemeanor

    • Yes those are the rules for service dogs. Should Mr Leahy ever bother to attempt to actually register that dog, and succeeds, he will wave that card around like a 16 year old with his first learners permit. Until then, “I don’t have to show my card” is a lazy excuse for someone that wants the glory but won’t work for it.

      • No, those are the rules for people with service dogs. The Americans with Disabilities Act applies to people, not dogs. That’s why there is no requirements about cards for dogs, registration of dogs, training of dogs, breeds of dogs, feeding of dogs, or anything else of dogs.

        • I’m sure he can enter by himself anytime with no problem as long as he behaves himself. ADA satisfied.

          • By law he can enter with his dog any time as well. Per the ADA. As long as he has a qualifying disability. Which I think he clearly has.

      • Thank you.. you couldn’t have said it better… Mr.Leahy is just abusing the system like most of these “law abiding” citizens we have in the Antelope Valley..until you actually have a REAL service animal by law, then maybe I would have felt bad for you ..

        • For one Sadie is a ‘Real’ service animal. Second service dogs ante not certified by law as you just implied, they are certified by trainer organizations who have no relationship with the law you speak about. In order to be a service animal the animal has to be the animal of a disabled person, that’s it, no certification. Since rob has a disability any animal he owns is a service animal, it’s pretty black and white. You don’t look so smart when you make comments and don’t know anything about the subject so I suggest that you do some research on your trusty smart phone before you comment with your assumptions.

          • Whoa there….you are so wrong on this. Read all the ada guidelines of a Service Animal. To be a SD they must be trained(by program trained or self trained) with at 3 skills to help the person’s disability. So your comment of any dog owned by a disabled person is a Service Dog is incorrect.

        • Sadie is a ‘Real’ service animal because her owner is disabled. By law she doesn’t need any credentials to prove that she is a service dog. And the law states that a business owner cannot ask to see credential for a service animal anyways.

  12. Boycott the business simple as that, I hate when people assume all pitbulls are dangerous for the actions of a few who weren’t raised properly. I take my dog who is a blue nose pit out all the time and little and big dogs alike will come & bark aggressively in her face to the point where I pick up my dog and tell them to train there dog. Punish the deed not the breed. It’s also really screwed up that they denied serving a man who risked his life for this country. [removed] LOUIS’ BURGER & there bigotry. I hope no one in the AV decides to support them after this. Plus if someone has a service dog they legally don’t need to obtain proof to the establishment owner or even there landlord. That’s BS people talking bad about him only being gone a year. You don’t know him or his personal life or why he was in the service for a year and for you to speculate just makes you jaded desert dwellers. I don’t know the man that this happened too or the business owner so I’m talking from a outside perspective.

    • So, this restaurant is not only pit bull free, it’s also pit bull owner free? That’s a win-win for anybody that doesn’t want to eat with the dogs!

  13. Nobody is suing anybody. I’m not even filing a complaint with the ADA. I don’t want a dime from this guy snuffelufegus or whatever his name

    • Mr. Leahy That you for Defending our Freedom .This country we live has gone down the tubes. The only problem we have here is a Pit Bull. People think that service dogs are a special breed . I have a Jack Russell it is trained to bark and get peoples attention when I have a seizure that’s all. And it is a Service Dog . It has been on planes ,Hotels and everywhere i go. Nobody has ever ask me what the dogs service is only its ID number so they can put it in there system for future reservations. The owner of Louie’s is like everyone else in this county . They only care about themselves . It is sad what we all have come too. And now you are part of the Media sadness . GOD AND COUNTRY

  14. I just took a required course for work today about dealing with people who have disabilities. According to the course and presumably the ADA, you can ask two questions re service animals:
    1. Is the animal required because of a disability?
    2. What work or tasks has the animal been trained to perform?

    It also states that the dog must be “individually trained to do work or perform tasks for the benefit of an individual with a disability, including a physical, sensory, psychiatric, intellectual or other mental disability”. Animals that provide emotional support, well-being, comfort or companionship do not constitute work or tasks for the purposes of this definition.

    It’s very clear that carrying/showing documentation is not required.

    • It has to be noted, just because of some of the idiotic comments on display here regarding the restaurant owners’ “rights” and whatnot…

      When the ADA allows for you to ask those two questions it does not charge you with the authority to investigate the truthfulness of the answers. It legally makes no difference whatsoever if I walk in carrying a cat, and tell you that it is a service dog that allows me to turn invisible. The quality of my answers is not, in any way, your problem.

      Now, you are perfectly within your rights to tell me that you are going to call animal control while you are providing the normal services to which I am entitled, and animal control officers are perfectly within the guidelines of their normal duties to inform me that my cat is indeed a cat, and then inform you that they have determined it is not legally a service animal, at which point you can insist that me and my cat get out.

      • Pardon the double post…for some reason this didn’t show up and I thought it was lost.

    • Note that authorizing you to ask those questions in no way authorizes you to investigate the quality of the answers.

      If I walk in carrying a chihuahua and tell you it is a service dog that allows me to turn invisible that’s my issue, not yours. You can (and probably should) call in a complaint that I may be fraudulently claiming to be disabled, but that is the extent of your legal recourse.

  15. He “investigated some roadkill on his street” ?? So he sat in the dirt on the side of the road and poked a stick at a dead ground squirrel and the wonders of the world have been revealed to him. Wierdo!! Did he share some with his dog or eat it all himself? This one will go directly into the Freak Files smh.

  16. Everyone is adding fuel to his fire this is what this guy wants good and bad reactions..all for attention…keep it going it is what he wants….

    • No…He isnt seeking self gratified attention. He wants justice. He deserved better treatment and so does his service dog. It doesnt matter how long or short his military time was you morons. He’s disabled. Period! SSA is a long process of tests that cant be faked for disability. The man is within his rights and so is his dog. All of you haters are a bunch of ignorant baffoons. Do you need me to explain what that is? Get your desert fried brains educated. FEDERAL LAW GIVES HIS DOG THE RIGHT TO ENTER THE RESTAURANT WITHOUT PREDUDICE OR BAD TREATMENT! SADIE AND MR. LEAHY ARE WITHIN THEIR RIGHTS. SADIE ALSO HAD TO BE TESTED BEFORE BEING GIVEN A LICENSE. THE SERVICE DOG LICENSE IS SADIE’S NOT MR. LEAHY’S. HE IS HER HANDLER/HANDICAPPED HUMAN. THEY ARE A TEAM! IF YOU CANT HANDLE THAT, THEN YOU HAVE A SERIOUS PROBLEM AS WELL. GET EDUCATED AND UNBIGOTTED. …HAVE A NICE DAY.

      • Sorry to burst your perfectly rounded bubble, but I have dealt with this guy professionaly and he does not want justice..he’s not very easy to deal with in person and cusses ,rants, and raves when he doesn’t get his way..I am not gonna kiss his ass..sorry..get to know him first , and you will know EXACTLY what I mean!!!!

        • Whether the guy is likable or not is not really relevant to the legal question at hand. If laws could be set aside just because people were “not easy to deal with” there would be piles of bodies everywhere you looked.

      • Robin – apparently you didnt read all the comments correctly, as neither Sadie – the non-pitbull-pitbull-service dog or Mr. Leahy are licensed. He did not get her listed with the service dog registry until today which from what I am reading here has no power to enforce anything other than the federal laws. And what kind of testing did Sadie have to go through? I don’t believe there has been any form of testing with Sadie. If you can clarify your statements from above, then I will give you credit for your comments, but until then, you need to GET EDUCATED AND UNBIGOTTED!

        • And I love dogs, apparently you have not read all the posts…if you read the ADA law there is no testing required…Being a trainer of my own Service Dog, I wish there was somewhere you could go to get your dog tested and “REAL” Registration but there is not unless you want to go on a waiting list for about two Yeats and go live god knows where for a few months and osy thousands of dollars to have your doh trained with you through a well known training facility. Until then the law goes on the honor system and yes there are many fakers out there, but the law is the law and real or fake the business owner must allow the Service Dog to go wherever the handler goes. That is until the Law can be better written.

  17. How dare any of you to judge this man and ask about his need for his service animal. And the so called medical professional shame on you for including those without a need for plates and placards on the vehicles without an obvious need for them on their vehicles. This gentleman can have whatever breed of dog he so desires. I say good for him. I say get a lawyer to look into the behavior of the owner of the establishment and I never advocate lawsuits if they can be avoided. He can have whatever breed he so desires; leave him alone and let him have what he needs/desires. Allow law enforcement to handle what you feel is wrong (Mr. Business Owner). Thank you for sharing your story, as a disabled citizen of the valley it is one establishment I will never go back to!!!

    • If you park in a handicapped space, without a plate or placard, you will get a citation. Even if you really were disabled at the the of the citation. And if you go to the doctor, get a placard, and show it in court, the citation will still stand for not having it at the time of the citation.

      This is not about the breed of the dog, it’s about lack of easily obtainable credentials for the dog.

      • Credentials are not required when a dog goes into and establishment, so comparing it to disabled parking where the law requires the placard is stupid. Because he is disabled, his dog is a service animal, with or without credentials. And the law states that business owners cannot ask to see the dogs credentials anyways. Get your facts straight and don’t make metaphors that are complete trash.

  18. This guy is a real loon! He does this everywhere he goes..his dog is NOT a service dog..he is literally abusing the system and he’s crazy…he came to my place of work and does the same [removed] but continues to come..and leaves bad reviews but still continues to use the service he claims he hates…sorry but he’s just bored and has nothing else to keep himself busy …he is also not easy to deal with as a person…so I have no compassion for this man at all and feel bad for all the businesses he treats badly and the people…

    • This coming from the veterinarian said there was nothing wrong with my dog. The same one that says there’s no fleas in the Antelope Valley that could have bitten her or she could have ingested.. I investigated some roadkill on my street covered in fleas..so many you couldn’t even see its eyes..I went somewhere else..you were wrong. My dog’s health is very important to me and you people don’t take it serious enough..in my opinion. That’s crazy.

      • Here’s a test for you that will settle it. Leash up that dog of yours and parade it through Antelope Valley Hospital. Legitimate service dogs can do that, but you’ll both be out on your ear in minutes.

        I doubt even Rex Parris would take your flea-bit case.

        • Right now Id like to parade your ignorant hiney around as a biggotted fool. The man has the right to go into any establishment with his dog and people like you disgust me with your backward @$$ ignorance. GROW UP!!!

          • Dogs DO NOT BELONG ANY AND EVERYWHERE…YOU ARE PROBABLY ONE OF THOSE FILTHY PEOPLE WHO BELIEVE THAT..NOT ALL DOGS are clean..leave your pet mut at home people…people who bring their dogs in a place that sells food is gross..and ignorant I don’t want your dog around while I am eating..

          • “Reverting to name-calling suggests you are defensive and therefore find my objections valid.”

        • Already have I walk right in the front door and do what I have to do. Hospital staff at the Av Hospital Palmdale Regional and the Veterans Administration have been very accommodating. most places are. I very rarely have a problem..

      • So wrong I don’t work at an animal clinic..you lost track of how many places you’ve left dirty tracks on…

        • No my service dog does not have fleas.. She is in excellent health , now.. No thanks to the palmdale veterinary clinic. She contracted worms off of the thousands of rabbits that run wild in abundance all over this valley.. And she’s kind to all animals so they hop right up to her.. My bitch was the vet says there’s no fleas in this valley that’s bull.. Because I walked up on a dead rabbit in the street it was covered with fleas, so thick you couldn’t even see his eyeballs. The vet refused to believe this and I had to go somewhere else he was wrong. and I asked if the dog needed any treatment and additional to the wormer I gave her he said no he was wrong again. I don’t recommend this veterinarian… If you have a pitbull especially.. They are just in it for the money.. I’ll never spend another dime there.

    • Your lack of compassion saddens me. He is a disabled Veteran. I’ve seen our lack of respect for our vets first hand. Sadie is a service dog. Period. Our views are a direct reflection of what is happening in our Country.

  19. Gotta love reporters.they never print what you say the way you say it.. What I said was my dog is not your typical pitbull.. She is a purebred amstaff. If it looks like a pitbull it must be a pit bull right? I didn’t even tell her what kind of dog she was until she was 3…. And in the picture the guy taking the photograph said the words”play ball” right before he took the photo.. her favorite fun.. Blows my mind how people can completely criticize and analyze my dog with a photograph ..quack..you have to see her in action..she’s outstanding. She obeys unique commands like ‘watch my food’. I can even leave the residence..come back an hour later, my steak dinner will still be sitting right next to her.. she’s smarter than most people expect…without a doubt.. Sadie has turned many pitbull haters into a pit bull lovers..since I’ve had her . My pitbull…that I own..is that clear enough ?? Carry on..

    • Love this comment.. You just proved you don’t NEED your dog with you constantly and a legitimately TRAINED service animal is focused on handler ONLY..which is required by true deligent training by an CWRTIFIED TRAINER

      • Bteed doesnt matter. It has to do with the work done and what the needs of the disabled person are. Thats between the person and the person’s helper. You may ask how the dog helps the person AS LONG AS YOU DO NOT HARASS NOR PUT THE PERSON INTO A POSITION WHERE THEY ARE REVEILING THEIR PERSON MEDICAL PROBLEMS WHICH ARE NONE OF YOUR BUSINESS. IF YOU BADGER AND HARRASS THE PERSON, THAT PERSON HAS THE RIGHT TO BRING A LAW SUIT AGAINST YOU. YOU ARE IN VIOLATION OF THEIR RIGHTS TO PRIVACY ESPECIALLY MEDICAL PRIVACY AND THEIR RIGHTS OF THE ADA ACT FOR DISABLED PERSONS AND THEIR SERVICE ANIMALS. NOT ALL SERVICE ANIMALS ARE DOGS. NOT ALL SERVICE ANIMALS PERFORM THE SAME TASKS. NOT ALL SERVICE DOGS ARE THE SAME BREED NOT ALL SERVICE DOGS OR ARE LABLED THE SAMGUIDE DOGS ARE FOR BLIND PEOPLE OR THOSE WITH POOR VISION. ASSISTANCE DOGS ASSIST PEOPLE IN GETTING THINGS. THERAPY DOGS OFTEN TIMES, VISIT HOSPITALS BUT ALSO HELP THOSE WITH SOCIAL FEARS. SERVICE DOGS DO MANY THINGS, LIKE STAYING CLOSE TO A PERSON WITH EPILEPSY OR BLOOD DISORDER OR AGROPHOBIA AND DEPRESSION. THE TASKS VARY DEPENDING UPON WHAT AN INDIVIDUAL PERSON NEEDS. 2 PEOPLE WITH A HEART PROBLEM CAN HAVE VERY DIFFERENT NEEDS. DONT ASSUME ANYTHING! YOU STENT IN TBEIR SHOES. DISABLED PEOPLE HAVE A HARD ENOUGH TIME ON A MOMENT BY MOMENT BASIS AND WITH ALL THE IGNORANT HATRED IN THIS TOWN, IM DISGUSTED THAT ANYONE WOULD DELIBERATELY AND INTENTIONALLY TRY TO MAKE IT HARDER. STOP IT! PERHAPS YOURE DISABLED IN YOUR OWN WAY BUT DONT DUMP IT ON THOSE WHO ARE STRUGGLING JUST TO GET THROUGH A SINGLE DAY EVERYDAY. JUST BECAUSE YOU DONT SEE AN OBVIOUS DISABILITY, DOES MOT DISMISS THE DISABILITY. YOU ARENT INSIDE THAT PERSON TO KNOW WHAY YHEIR LIFE IS LIKE OR WHAT THEY GO THROUGH. MANY HIDE THEIR DISABILITIES AS MYCH AS POSSIBLE BECAUSE OF THE DISCRIMMINATION AND IGNORANCE OF THE UNEDUCATED PUBLIC IN THIS AREA OF LIFE. WE EVEN GET IT FROM OTHER OBVIOUSLY DISABLED PEOPLE UNTIL THOSE PEOPLE ARE EDUCATED BY THOSE WHO DEAL WITH SUCH PERSONS. SPECIALISTS WHO KNOW AND WORK WITH THOSE WITH HIDDEN/NOT OBVIOUSLY LOOKING DISABLED TO THE PUBLIC TYPES OF PEOPLE. ITS TIME TO WAKE UP AND GET EDUCATED. PLEASE. WHAT YOU PEOPLE ARE DOING IS WRONG AND IF IT WERE YOU, YOU CERTAINLY WOULDNT WANT TO BE TREATED SO BADLY BY OTHERS. NOR WOULD YOU WANT YOUR HELP RO BE TREATED SO BADLY BY OTHERS.

      • Thats the thing about a disability.. if you were disabled I shouldn’t have to explain this to you. 20 years of this disability has taken its toll on me. generated other conditions. no two days are alike. some days I need my dog some days I need crutches, others..I need a cane. Occationally, bad days I prefer a wheelchair because it hurts to stand up, for any length of time.. you’re not disabled, or youd know that.. the fact of the matter is I’m authorized any friggin thing I want..when I want. Sadie and I worked Very hard to train her to EXCEED the regulations.. and I’ll use her/ take her whereever/whenever the heck I feel like it, buddy. who the heck are you?.. to tell me, what I NEED??

    • Just one more post – Mr. Leahy – if Sadie is a “purebred amstaff” as you state, then you should have paperwork showing her purebreed history. Is this true or just another embelishment on your part? Or is she just another pit bull that the owner doesn’t want to claim as a pit?

      • He has stated it is a pit. He has also mentioned that he wouldn’t even say exactly what breed she was until she was 3 years old. I would imagine that means he does not have purebred papers for her.

  20. Oh my goodness, really people! I actually love the “Shanker” but you are all acting like ignorant fools. There is no reason the business owner should not have the right to ask for proof that the dog is trained to do it’s duties. Do we all not have the same right to ask a cop to provide a badge number? How many times have you seen a person holding a chihuahua with a “worker dog” vest and thought, “really”???

    And all you “Pit bull” haters” do your homework. What type of dog was owned by Teddy Roosevelt, used in the “Little Rascals/ Our gang”, and RCA?

    An animal ABUSED will act out. Especially an intelligent and loving one. Pitbull, is a horrible name. It is the same as SLAVE. PIT BULL refers to putting the poor thing in a PIT to FIGHT for it’s life! REALLY? How human are you? HUMANS put other beings into blood sports for their financial gain and amusement, should they NOT act out for survival?

    Because the dogs are smart, smarter than a LOT of humans, (AND AS A HIGH SCHOOL AND COLLEGE TEACHER I KNOW HOW STUPID SOME PEOPLE ARE) they react when in fear or put in danger by the PEOPLE who they THINK they should trust, who then betray them.

    Stop. Please just stop. I get why the business owner is scared. Too many lowlife loser lawsuits. Too many low life scum thugs who think dog fighting and cock fighting are “cool” and make them feel more manly. I wonder if they think it is “cool” to beat their kids and wives also? But do not blame the dog. Communication is needed more than anything. Check the statistics. More Cocker Spaniels ( My dog of choice) hurt more people than do pit bulls. And REALLY do your homework, house cats do the most harm of all! Stop being ignorant and do some research, stop just watching T.V. Go to the library pick up a book, or learn how to use the internet to find REAL statistics! Learn how math works, and stop blaming animals for HUMANS hubris and vanity. Take 20 minutes before you go to bed and REALLY see if you can find FACTS.

    • “There is no reason the business owner should not have the right to ask for proof that the dog is trained to do it’s duties.”

      Other than the fact that there is a specific law against doing so, or even asking what those duties might be.

      “Do we all not have the same right to ask a cop to provide a badge number?”

      How on Earth do you call this “the same right?” There is not even a remote connection between these things. They are not covered in the same section of law. A service dog is not a public employee. A service dog, come to think of it, is a dog. I’m sure there are other differences as well.

    • I am a spokesperson for a local rescue , we have over 40 pit bulls due to irresponsible owners . The establishment can ask person to remove service animal , since he clearly stated his service animal is for balance issues for stairs and downhill. Owner must accommodate patron , owner was within his right. The post above from earlier is Sadie’s vet.

      • After this column of comments, as well as the original article, have referenced the Americans with Disabilities Act so that anyone can just read it, how can you make these wild claims about what is legal for the restaurant owner to do?

        Thanks for your work in rescue, but as a “spokesman” you should try to maintain some credibility, and making up stuff when there is a clearly stated law to refer to is not helping.

      • Disgusted disabled you are wrong! How do you know? he may need the dogs help at any time…what if he stumbled and needed help getting up? Sure you can say someone would help me but many disabled people have issues with people getting too close to them especially disabled military because many suffer from PTSD. Also how do you know how he hot to the restaurant? The Service Dog more then likely helped to and from there. So just because the dog is not constantly helping this gentlemen does not mean she should not be allowed to accompany him. Period

      • If you work in an animal rescue and you’re ignorant to the law like that I feel sorry for the dogs you take care of. evidently you’re in it for the money and not the rights of the animal.. And I agree with the other comments on your post …you should get educated .. Laws are there for a reason they are rules we have to abide by…opinions don’t really matter..

  21. I am glad to read all the 162 posts..as a medical professional who is highly allergic to dogs really I do have a problem when a patient comes in for a radiology test with their so called “SERVICE ” dog with no paperwork no nothing just a filthy dog with a filthy owner who takes advantage of the “SERVICE” dog purpose. I see nothing wrong with you that dog does what for you? Than you put the dog in the chair next to you for the next patient to sit in when you and your dirty dog leave. What if that patient is severely allergic to animal dander..I think service dogs should not be allowed any any establishment. Just like one comment said there is a picture on this guys Facebook riding dirt bikes..how does your service dog assist you with that? Also like 80% of the people with handicapped license plates…they can walk better than me..It’s all a joke..The owner of Louis burgers has every right to tell them to get out..I know I don’t want no dog that’s been licking it’s butt anywhere near me while I am eating. If I went in there I would’ve went right out and they would’ve lost my business for that day..dogs should definitely not be anywhere near an eating area even in your own home in the kitchen..It is not sanitary. Dogs and food just don’t mix..Good job Louis burgers for sticking to it. About time someone stood up to these liars with fake ideas and excuses.

    • So as a health care professional your considered opinion on the legal question presented is that “The owner of Louis burgers has every right to tell them to get out.”

      Suggestion: stick to health care, and if you ever have a legal issue of any kind be sure to hire an attorney.

      • I question YOU. Why should the business own NOT have the AMERICAN right to run his/her business the way the constitution allows. I am a HUGE supporter of our VETS. I do not understand how any vet would have an issue to show a id card for their service animal.

        Would I ask to see it. Hell no. But should I have the right to protect my other patrons? I think I should.

        • Whether the business owner should or shouldn’t isn’t really in question. The legal fact is that they DON’T.

          If you want to talk about what should be, and how to go about getting the law to say that, fine. But what we have here is a health care professional offering a legal opinion that is flatly wrong. In a column full of comments which have linked to and referenced the law in question that demonstrates it is wrong.

          • and if you’ve ever been discriminated against for any reason you know how it makes the hair stand up on the back of your neck

      • I am not making any assumptions from an attorney standpoint I am just saying many people do not like or are allergic to certain pet dander and not everyone should be exposed when leaving their home whether it’s to a dr appt or out to lunch..Oh, and dogs bite..they are all big or small capable they have a mouth with teeth..I break out in hives because I am so allergic why should I have to be subjected to that..nothing against dogs I just think they should be left at home..I will state my opinion no matter profession I am in. Now go let your dog lick you on your lips filthy..after he licked his butt..

        • Sooooo…your statement about what the owner of the restaurant “had a right to do” was a medical opinion?

    • Dont judge people by there cover!! Hope you never are in need of help in this life and pray that God has Mercy for your soul. Not fair that we rejoice of others who are suffering or dont have blessing like you and i. This world need to be more compassion.

    • Mrs. wonder…..WHAT, no dogs in the kitchen? Who’s going to clean up my mess while I’m cooking, and clean the dishes when I’m done eating?

    • Nice try pal. IF you are a doctor, find another profession. A filthy patient? Find another job. BTW…Im having an amazingly hard time believing that youre a doctor…Would that be a doctor of BS? Lets see YOUR PAPERS AND LICENSES!

    • Sounds like you’re not in the correct profession. F’n A people in the av are hysterical sometimes.

  22. I wrote a letter to Runners office this morning and in short suggested she sponsor a bill that licenses service dogs, giving them a patch that would for once and for all end this issue in the state of CA. ‘Pets’ are not in service, however, people that need service dogs deserve dignity.

    • Another librul runs to the nanny state for more licensing and regulatory agents.

      • Because another idiot neocon can’t use their brain, or follow the laws as they are already written.

        • I genuinely can’t tell if my sarcasm was lost on you, or you are just piling it deeper.

    • AMEN I AGREE!! ALL THIS ANIMAL AND PEOPLE HATERS NEED TO REPENT AND LOVE ONE ANOTHER! ! THANK U FOR HELPING.

  23. One Saturday morning I sat in the drive thru line for 30 minutes. I assumed it was the big SUV in front of me with tinted windows ordering food for 15. But there was a small car in front of them. Then I realized it was just shoddy service. If the drive thru of an establishment has a “escape” lane, it’s probably not a good idea to patron them.

  24. What happened was here is wrong and against the law, a lizard can be a service animal by ADA definitions , get an Attorney and SUE SUE SUE on behalf of people with Disabilities. And personally I will not ever eat there again

    • Sorry, the law changed in 2011, only dogs and miniature horses can be service animals under the ADA.

    • Things have changed, only dogs and miniature horses are now recognized service animals. For real, just read it yesterday. No monkeys, rabbits, cat lizards, snakes, etc.

    • I think an attorney should be consulted first. After that, a protest should be held there consisting of citizens who don’t agree with Louis’ policy, along with folks who have service dogs. The media should be invited as should the attorney.
      I myself have a service dog trained by your truly. She was a rescue from the shelter. She received her initial basic obedience training at PetCo and I did the rest.
      We’ve been all over the AV and have never been refused entrance If we are challenged, I show an I.D card that on the front states the following –
      (I’m typing exactly whats on the card with capitol letters included as written)

      “I’m a Service Dog. In accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990.
      This person is accompanied by a SERVICE DOG, am animal individually trained to perform tasks for people with disabilities. Service Dogs are working animals, not pets.”
      The back of the card states the following- “Questions concerning the ADA and service animals, please call the U.S. Department of Justice ADA Information
      Line at 1-800-514-0301.”
      Opening the card, it states this –
      “In accordance with the Americans with Disabilities ACT OF 1990 –
      Businesses MAY NOT
      1) Require special identification for the dog.
      2) Ask about the person’s disability.
      3) Charge additional fees because of the dog.
      4) Refuse admittance, isolate, segregate, or treat this person less favorably than other persons.

      A person with a disability cannot be asked to remove his service animal from the
      premises unless:1) the animal is out of control and the animal’s owner does not take effective action to control it.
      2) the animal poses a direct threat to the health or safety of others.

      Any business that sells or prepares food must allow service animals in public areas even if state or local health codes prohibit animals on the premises.

      Refusal to provide equal access to people with disabilities with service animals is a federal civil rights violation provided by the American Disability Act of 1990.
      Violators of the ADA can be required to pay money damages.”

      If you took the time to read all that, I thank you very much. I believe the federal should be applied and the owner of Louis Burger’s should read it too.
      By refusing service to the gent, he’s opening the door to a big fat lawsuit.

      If people get together to protest, with news coverage, and support from people that have service animals from all over Southern California, perhaps
      Mr. Louis would obey the law, rather than making up his own illegal guidelines

      Thank you,

      Ernesto in Green Valley, Ca.

      • Ernesto Flores, Thanks for telling me exactly what is written on your ID card. Now I can make one up and pass my my dogs off as a service dogs. Which possibly is just what you did. The card proves absolutely nothing.

      • Nice try pal. IF you are a doctor, find another profession. A filthy patient? Find another job. BTW…Im having an amazingly hard time believing that youre a doctor…Would that be a doctor of BS? Lets see YOUR PAPERS AND LICENSES!

    • I guess you dont need paperwork, but service dogs in California get tags—Under California law, assistance dog identification tags are available for service animals and service animals in training, if the animal is being trained by the individual with a disability or a licensed trainer, through a county animal control department. The county will not make an independent assessment as to whether the animal is trained to perform work or tasks for the benefit of the individual with a disability. Even if you are issued an identification tag for your animal, the animal must meet the requirements of a service animal in order to be protected under federal and state law. When applying for an assistance dog identification tag, you must sign a declaration that states you understand that is a crime to misrepresent yourself as the owner or trainer of a trained service animal. In California, to falsely identify or pretend your dog is a service animal is punishable by six months in jail or a fine of up to $1,000, or both. It is a violation of Penal Code Section 365.7.

  25. I am as healthy as can be, and not disabled in any way. I have a friend, with a service dog, he passes away and leaves me his service dog. Can I take this service dog anywhere the public can go? OR does a medical doctor have to diagnose my need for the service dog before it can go where ever I go?

    • A service dog is meant for the handler it was trained to help or that specific disablity. Unless you have the same exact need, than no.

    • Great question, Thom. It is no longer a dog in service and, thus, NO. You cannot take the dog into public. It would be better going to another person that has the same disability in order to serve them. At any rate, it is no longer considered a service animal.

      • This answer is a good idea, and provides the right result, but misses the key point that makes that the right result.

        The ADA applies to the person with the disability, not the service animal. That’s why despite the training of the dog you inherited you can’t use it as a service dog.

        This is relevant to this story, because it points to why all the people chattering (including the restaurant manager) about the breed, training, certification, and whatever other characteristics of the dog are completely missing the mark. Absolutely nothing about the dog makes a shred of difference…it is the owner of the dog, his disability status, and his rights as protected by the ADA that are at issue.

    • Thus saying, unless Robert was deemed in need of a service dog, he has no right to take his dog were dogs aren’t usually allowed. And the dog would thusly not be a service dog.

      • Actually, as long as he has a qualifying disability, which appears self evident, he doesn’t need to be “deemed in need of a service dog” by anyone. The ADA applies to people with qualifying disabilities, not people “deemed to need a service dog.”

        There is basically no way around the fact that the restaurant owner broke federal law.

    • I have know the owners forever and they are the sweetest and the nicest people I have ever know. We eat there a lot and have always been treated very kindle the owner will come out and shake your hand and Angela his wife is the best. When we walk in she knows our order and starts to get it ready for us. I understand why you all are upset BUT what if that dog was not papered and bit someone then they would be sued. Louis will always have our business and I am sure a lot of other customers feel the same way about them :)

      • Handlers of service animals are responsible for their service animals behavior in public. They are still liable under the law to clean up after, cover expenses to others should something like this happen. However, that being said. When a service dog is out, it is working and not to be approached and/or petted by anyone in the public. It is NOT a pet and should not be treated the same as a pet.

      • Service dogs are allowed everywhere legally except the ICU in a hospital, and the operating room.
        Since this veteran was not wanting to use the kitchen this guy has no excuse except his breed prejudice for denying this guy. I hope this guy sues him, or something happens so he gets schooled on the laws. I have worked with a wonderful young lady who is in a wheelchair and her service dog is the thing that allows her to live independently. Her dog is worth 10s of thousands of dollars for it’s training. I have another friend who had a German Shepherd that was a seeing eye dog… So since GSD are aggressive, he should deny them? This guy needs to learn ADA law. Then again, I suspect that he doesn’t even have an ADA complaiant bathroom anyway. I can give this restaurant a miss in the future.

  27. This article is completely ignorant on so many different levels. I happen to have a service dog for PTSD and guess what…..she is BOTH a PIT BULL and a AMERICAN STAFFORDSHIRE TERRIER. The term “Pit Bull” is used in reference to a type of dog which includes the Staffordshire Bull Terrier, American Staffordshire Terrier and the American Pit Bull Terrier. This articles author should have have done at least 30 seconds of research before publishing this to avoid sounding uneducated but it doesn’t really even matter because the really issue is about a business owner blatantly refusing the rights of a disabled person because of their personal feelings about a particular type of dog and that is completely unacceptable. Not only is it unacceptable but it’s disgusting. A service dog can be any type of dog you want it to be, in CA it can even be a mini horse! As a business owner you can ask TWO questions as verification. Those are 1) Trust me when I say this,

    • You do realize that it’s the dog’s owner who is insisting that the dog is not a pit bull right? It doesn’t matter what the reporter thinks. If the man says his dog is not a pit bull, then it must be reported that he does not believe the dog to be a pit. Education all the way around is needed. Smh…

      • The reported misstated what the owner said, If you read the nets then you will see that the owner counted and corrected the mistake. American staffordshire terriers are under the general breed name pit bull with a few other breeds. He is well aware of this, and. Just pointed out the difference to the reporter, who took his comment to mean that he did not think his dog was a pit bull. You know what they say about assuming.

  28. Simple just don’t go here anymore, It’s a sad day when we have a veteran that can’t have his dog that helps him daily whether it’s for helping him up and down stairs or just to comfort him. I can guess that this man has PTSD and a dog will help service men and women with those problems. Time for this burger joint to go…I will spread the word to every service person that lives in the AV also.

    • Leahy is a poser. Being a vet (1 year of service in the Army) doesn’t necessarily make you a wounded warrior. Not that he’s claiming that, but it looks like he implies it. He lost his leg in a motorcycle accident while serving on active duty. Does that qualify as a “service related injury”, ahhh, no.The guy never served in the military, and didn’t even have a debilitating injury.

      • A poser? Sorry your WRONG, if you are active duty and you get into an auto accident then it is considered active duty!! Trust me I have a friend on the US Para Olympics soccer team that was severely injured in a auto accident in southern California he gets full disability from the military because he was ENLISTED…Regardless this guy has a paycheck coming, And this place will lose tons of customers maybe not right away but I bet you in 2 years there is a for rent sign in the place.

      • I am a medically retired vet who just moved to AV and California on top of that. Just incase you don’t understand what a service related disability means. I’ll just copy and past for you to read.

        Disability compensation is a monetary benefit paid to Veterans who are determined by VA to be disabled by an injury or illness that was incurred or aggravated during active military service. These disabilities are considered to be service connected.

        Him being injured on active duty does indeed make it service related. It doesn’t matter if he served 1 or 20 years because he still served. If it happened on active duty it’s service related. Very possibly because he was in the service when it happened…..

        • that is correct I was on active duty..I served 2 years 3 months of a three year enlistment.. spent eight months in an army hospital being used as a lab rat to teach young doctors, evidently how to induce renal failure… instead of being given a timely discharge.. I did one year in the military.. after 6 months of training…subsequently,.spent 8 months, suffering, too.. what have YOU, DONE FOR THE USA? HUH? THOUGHT NOT. D***HEAD?

  29. Ok, ok, he’s a “veteran” and is missing a limb (don’t like the term “disabled” because most people who are, do more amazing things than their lazy able bodied counterparts. Besides causing controversy over a crappy fast food joint.) and was denied service.
    I get why everyone’s panties are in a bunch, but what’s the big deal?!
    It’s Louis Burgers!! Nothing too great. Not sure why this “veteran” is making a big deal about it. Eff Louis’ just go across the street to Doublz or about a mile up the road to Tom’s or a little further to Primos! They all serve the EXACT same junky, plain, bland tasting fast food.
    Put your little butt hurt post up, make people mad and be happy. Louis will eventually get what’s coming to them if this is all true, anyway.
    Just like all them businesses refusing service to the gay community. Just go somewhere else. They will get theirs.
    The point is: grow up Robert, go eat at another crappy hole in the wall that serves the same food. And Louis why would you refuse service to this man wether he’s a “veteran” or not over a dog? You have plenty of patrons of your establishment that I assure you are much more of a health hazard than this animal was.

  30. It doesn’t matter if the dog IS A PIT BULL! A service dog is a service dog. No certain breed is required. He just needs to prove it

    • Umm, no, he doesn’t need to prove it. The law on this is clear. They may ask if the dog is a service dog that performs service for a disability. They may ask what service the dog provides. They may not ask for certifications. They may not ask anything about the disability.

      The law is clear, and that’s probably why there are so many “fake” service dogs. The Federal Government needs to start a registry of service animals and issue an identification card with a picture of the dog, and a simple statement that the dog IS a certified service animal. Nothing more, nothing less.

  31. So it seems that Mr. Leahy deactivated his Facebook page….guess he couldn’t handle all the fame.

  34. oh my gosh this is such a good place to go and eat but after reading about this I will never step into this place again and I will make sure that all my friends and family do the same they should just ban this place for being so unfair to the men and woman who serve our country they are to freaken selfish.

    • Leahy is a poser. Being a vet (1 year of service in the Army) doesn’t necessarily make you a wounded warrior. Not that he’s claiming that, but it looks like he implies it. He lost his leg in a motorcycle accident while serving on active duty. Does that qualify as a “service related injury”, ahhh, no. I got a hang nail while in the sand box, but that doesn’t mean I get the Purple Heart. The ADA needs to be amended to require ALL service animals to be certified, and the owner or the animal to carry proof of that certification. All over the U.S. people are claiming their animals are service dogs so they “don’t have to leave the dog in the car.” I put the quotes there because I talked to a guy with a “service dog”, and that’s what he told me. The guy never served in the military, and didn’t even have a debilitating injury. Does it have to be the American way to take advantage at the expense of others? To intentionally go into a business looking for a fight, making a scene, cussing and being an ass (as witnesses said Robert did) is a disgrace. No Vet should be behaving this way. Calling the restaurant owner an “Arab” and he needs to “go down” is also a disgrace. The owner is Greek and has been working his butt off for 20 years to provide for his family.
      Robert went in there looking for a law suit and looking to make trouble.
      There are many people who took pictures of his FB Page before he made it private showing that he is a racist jerk… A Vet? Yes… But an [removed] also…
      Please do not buy into this guys [removed].
      I will be eating at Louis Burger today to show my support.
      The only mission accomplished here was making yourself look like a real jerk. Shame on you for your tantrum and bad language in a restaurant with many people and children but, I guess you got what you wanted…. Attention!

    • Mr. Leahy “served” our country for only one year. Now he wants a lifetime of the country serving him and forcing laws on everyone else. I wonder how many other things he gets for free because he is disabled. He needs to put on his big boy panties and get his life in order and quite taking everything so personal. If he wants to use the title of veteran, then maybe he should have stayed in the military. If he got out because of a motorcycle accident, then maybe he should have moved on and found an employer who would hire him. If anything comes out of this here in the Antelope Valley, it will be all the restaurants will be aware of who Mr. Leahy is and what his objectives are. I’m sure a little $$$$$ would make this all go away . And whatever you do my friends, please do not boycott this restaurant. They provide jobs to many employees and have been a stable environment here for years. If what they did was illegal, let it be worked out in the courts, but boycotting them is not going to prove anything.

      • That is irrelevant. If they get boycotted and shut down, sure them employees will lose their jobs. It’s not the end of the world, it’s only a handful of jobs. It’s only a handful of jobs that would be replaced when somebody else uses the building to open a much better place to eat.
        We’ve got enough of these same restaurants with different names. Hell, even places like McD’s, BK, Wendy’s, etc. try to serve different food from each other. Toms, Louis, Primos and Doublz…it’s all the same.
        Can’t wait until there’s someplace to replace them and offer different food.

      • Very well said ( I love dogs). Again we have know the owners forever and love them and their food. Its a nice place to go and eat. You can walk in and Angela knows what your order is just by seeing your face because her and Louis treat their customers great and they both are great and their twin daughters are just as sweet as them. Come on everyone just drop this silly story and leave Louis and his place alone. We have more things going on in this world why drag this on. I know why everyone IS BORED and just needs something to talk about.

    • I’d never eat there. Mr. Leahy IS RIGHT! His service dog IS A STAFFASHIRE TERRIER…GREAT DOGS! Ive met Sadie in the past. She’s a wonderful service dog. The owner of yhe restaurant is WRONG ON ALL LEVELS! Ialso have service dogs. We are NOT required to carry around paperwork. ALL THAT IS REQUIRED IS A BLUE TAG WITH YELLOW TRIM IN THE SHAPE OF CALIFORNIA. IT IS A SPECIAL LICENSE GIVEN ONLY TO SERVICE DOGS. There are a lot of haters in the AV AND PROVOKERS.. Louises restaurant is a cesspool of lard anyway. The restaurant owner is doing Mr. Leahy a huge favor in the long run. Eat healthier in a quality restaurant that is worthy of you business Mr. Leahy. Louie’s is clearly a dump. Well established and healthier restaurants that arent infested with animal haters…Especially of Staffoshire Terriers as well as Pittbulls, WILL be better choices with better customer service. I dont waste my money out here In too many establishments. Save your funds and it at home for a while, then take your savings and take yourself and Sadie to Valencia, Los Angeles or the San Fernando Valley and make it a day out for yourselves. After the rude and ill- treatment You received and Louie’s aka Lardo’s…I for one, will nevet stop by, not even for a drop od water…Might have human germs in it. Save your money Mr.Leahy, for a higher quality restaurant that has not biggotted view points and knows how to obey the laws. This dump doesnt. I feel for you and Sadie. Far too many ignorant humans roaming the face of the planet. I dont trust animal haters with my meals and beverages. You DO have the RIGHT to go in there, but Id never trust them with the handling of my food. People like that are just god awful scum in my book. Best wishes for you both. Take care.

  35. Boycott this business! No way to treat a veteran who served our great dountry and pitbull persecution needs to stop they are the most misunderstood breed of dogs there is if youre a pitbull owner you know what i am talking about

  36. Well, here it is people after reading many of the comments. I did not read all of them as there are way too many but here is my two cents. I have been involved with dogs all of my life and have been involved in various genres of dog activities over the years. I also have been training dogs for over 30 years. I have my own website as well: http://www.dogbehaviorconsultant.biz. First, an American Pit Bull Terrier and Staffordshire Terrier are essentially the same dogs. They might have been bred for different purposes and conformation but they are one and the same. Some are cross registered as both breeds with AKC and UKC. That being said, any dog can be trained to become a service dog and provide a service to an individual depending upon what is needed and the breed of dog. A Pit Bull/Staffordshire terrier is a well-muscled dog breed with a lot of strength for pulling heavy objects. This would make this breed perfect for helping Mr. Leahy up a steep incline o steps as well as help slow him down when needed. Secondly, if you have not had the unfortunate experience of having a leg amputated and a prosthetic for a leg and, thus, first-hand knowledge of what it is like to ambulate with such a prosthetic, then why do you feel you have a right to judge the man’s integrity simply because he partakes in other activities (such as riding a motorcycle; which does NOT require the same balance as standing and ambulating on one leg and a prosthetic)? I am ashamed of those in this post that feel they have even a shred of a right to do so. Thirdly, the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 does not dictate who or how a dog is trained. There is no specific certification needed to train a dog. I am not certified, yet I can train a dog to provide services to a human simply because I have extensive knowledge and experience in how to elicit an action from a dog and which baby steps to use in the training process. I did it with my labrador retriever to touch me when my phone rings or a smoke alarm goes off or someone knocks at my door. Yes, I have a disability and my dog is a “hearing dog” and helps me at home with sounds I can’t hear. Under the law, he is allowed any where that the public is allowed including restaurants and public transportation, medical offices, dental offices, amusement parks, beaches, etc. I trained my own dog because the first hearing dog I was given from the National Hearing Dog Association located in Colorado, became dog aggressive after she was traumatized by a loose dog that tried to attack her. It took me over a year to rehabilitate her but meanwhile, I rescued a lab from the humane society and trained him to become my fill-in hearing dog in public until the first one could be trusted to be around other dogs in public. By the way, it only took 8 months for the National Hearing Dog Association to train my first hearing dog. All dogs are different, therefore, depending on what service is needed and the breed, training time will vary widely. Unless you personally know this man and his animal, you have no right to make harsh judgements about him. If he is not being honest, shame on him, but you have no proof that he is lying. This is why we needed the ADA law and restaurant owners are the worst about allowing service animals in their establishment. Believe me, I have met my share of stubborn business owners. I carry a laminated copy of the ADA for the state I am in to show the owner because most people are simply ignorant of the law and what it says, as is this restaurant owner. He broke the law, not the veteran.

    • Thank you Kim for a well written explanation that makes sense…It sure is nice to read a post that is spelled right and well thought out.

    • Kim, thank you for such a sound, intelligent response. This business owner has a long way back from his own ignorance. Being a Rottweiler owner, I know well the discrimination people have towards certain breeds. I’m not going to fight or win that battle in this forum, but let me just say that Pitties were not bred to be aggressive animals; despicable owners purposefully make them that way. My sister owns three and they are so docile and loyal. And she also has 2 children at home and has never experienced aggression with them. But, I digress. Someone mentioned too big a deal was being made of this incident. Not by a longshot.

  37. Mr. Leahy needs assistance walking stairs and has so much trouble getting around that he needs a “service animal” everywhere he goes?? He had video on his Fb page kick starting an old dirt bike using his artificial leg and had numerous of photos of himself riding dirtbikes, none of which appeared specially equipped for handicap use, in fact, some had looked like old contraptions that would be difficult to operate for anyone. People who claim to know him said he had lost his leg in a motorcycle accident while serving on active duty. That is not A SERVICE RELATED INCIDENT as he reported to the press and a terrible insult to REAL VETERANS who have been physically handicapped while DEFENDING OUR COUNTRY – Shame on you Mr. Leahy!! Witness’ at Louis Burger claim that when Mr. Leahy was approached in the restaurant and asked to leave, he immediately started cussing at management and disrupting the entire restaurant apparently for his own agenda. Has anyone bothered to look up Mr. Leahy’s criminal record? Since his release from the Service it appears he has been arrested or cited numerous times, has had outstanding warrants for extended periods of time and has spent what appears to be a couple of years in jail for various charges. Sounds like a real pillar of the community and such of victim of society… And we are to believe him that this animal is a service dog because he says so?? I hope you are proud of yourself Mr. Leahy, actions like yours just make it worse for those with real disabilities and special needs.

    • It is a tragedy that you lost a limb Mr. Leahy and I am sure there are difficulties for you day to day. But to try to ruin a someone’s business and livelihood for what is becoming more and more clear as your own agenda to apppoint yourself some kind of martyr is even a greater tragedy.

    • At no point has ANYONE said that the dog was being out of control, so I also would be upset if I was asked to leave because of my dog if it was being well mannered. Regardless of if the accident was on a motorcycle, he was still active military when it happened, and his disability is valid. If the dog was out of control and bothering people, or if the owner felt other people were in danger because of the way a dog was acting then ok ask him to leave, but not just because the dog was there.

      As far as how the leg was lost, he has a missing leg.. REGARDLESS so he is handicapped.

    • What a way to talk about a veteran. You have no idea of what it’s like to lose a limb. He probably has the dog for balance, and a pit bull is the perfect dog for such a role.

      You make me sick. Who do YOU think you are, speaking to a wounded veteran like that? And who gives a flying f* if he was arrested after he came home? MANY of our veterans come home with a lot of problems; they are not the squeaky clean poster boys that you seem to expect. Who appointed YOU the judge, anyway?

      Again, you make me sick. I could say it a hundred times and it wouldn’t be enough to express my utter contempt for you.

      You should be ashamed of yourself.

    • Criminal record? If you call driving with a suspended licence, a serious crime…May as well just say I’m at 3 striker I’ve done it 3 Times..lol and the jail time is a little excessive what the heck does that have to do with this issue..?? I couldn’t afford the fines..I took the time..I’ve served my time..My license is valid. I haven’t had a problem since.. Getting of subject, here. Shouldnt you get your facts straight there guy..?

      • why was your license suspended Mr. Leahy? And you’ve done it 3 times? sounds like you don’t feel the laws apply to you. If you were driving on a suspended license, you broke the law. Plain and simple.

        • That’s right and when you break the law you have to pay the consequences right? I have no problem paying my dues when I screw up.. If you want to call not reporting somebody rear ending me to the DMV within 10 days.. Bottom line is you have no point.. you going off the subject.. is mute. Because you have nothing to say.. About the issue that has merit have a nice day

  38. This mans facebook page shows that he was only in our armed forces for 1 year. There have been many comments from people who seem to know him stating that he lost his leg in a motorcycle accident, not as a result of service to our country. On his facebook page he states that HE trained his pit bull to be a service dog and that it took him 4 1/2 years to train the dog. Before boycotting a business over this matter, further investigation seems in order.

  39. he’s got multiple posts about pit bulls and even referring to his own dog as a pit. now he’s trying to call her other than pit bull. his post about going into walmart just because he can. he seems to want to use his dog as some advantage other than just assisting him. he can ride motorcycles, but cant climb steps or stop himself walking on a downgrade…his service dog should probably be allowed in many places, but businesses also ‘reserve the right to refuse service to anyone’

    the way i see it, if a business does not want my money, i will gladly go spend it somewhere else. unless i just want to make a stink everywhere i go…

    • A business can’t “reserve a right” that they do not have. There are federal laws specifically prohibiting discrimination based on certain things, and disabilities are one of those things.

      Now, if the business had said the guy was loud, or causing a disturbance, or any number of other things, they could refuse service. But they cannot refuse service to someone based on that person being disabled. By the way, if you use “loud,” or “causing a disturbance,” or whatever as a workaround to cover discrimination under a prohibited characteristic you will have a very hard time getting away with it.

      If you have a business I strongly recommend that you get familiar with what you can’t refuse service over, because most cases like this are cut and dried. Some business owner says “I refused service because…” and proceeds to confess without knowing they committed the crime.

  40. Last time I checked this was America . Since when does a person’s or even a dog’s race or breed determine whether or not they have rights. just because the media has made the pitbull quote un quote a vicious dangerous animal. The fact of the matter is their intelligence supersedes most dogs. Any one of the bully breeds and there are over 300 of them can be trained as a very efficient service animal. they require constant attention and constant training. if you train your dog to be mean and vicious a pitbull will do just what you train it to do.. to the letter.. everytime without fail. my dog is not allowed to be aggressive and she knows it. her best friends are cats. And children. I think I’m her third choice…lol.. Aside from an occasional chasing the ball is usually strictly business when we are walking but I would never in a million years trade my baby girl for any lesser of a dog. Anybody that knows me knows..you aren’t going to find a smarter, kinder, more intelligent dog.. sadies exceptional. Thanks for all the comments intelligent and ignorant alike..

        • Pit bull is a collective term…for a catagory of a dog breed..you have different types of breeds…of terriers…mastiffs,toy..etc..so yes I believe I am right…and working in a professional field in animal care I know the difference…

  42. I think the whole idea of “Service Animal” is bull####. Those people who I have seen are mostly desperate types who refuse to leave their pets at home. Seeing eye dogs are the only acceptable animal that should be permitted in stores/offices. Society survived quite nicely for decades without “Service Animals.” Stop the fraud. These people are merely using the law as a foil.

    • Actually lots of dogs are trained to detect things like on coming seizures, mood swings, diabetic crashes, etc. Which are life saving. If you can’t bring your service dog into a facility, you could potentially end up in a much worse situation than if you had brought your dog. Family members learn those signals and can help protect their family member. Dogs can alert people for help for their people. What happens if you don’t bring your service dog in and no one else is in the restaurant and you have a seizure and the staff is in the back not paying attention? You wanna go unattended until someone happens to show up? What about someone with Autism? A service dog could detect when a melt down is approaching and help alert family to possible avoid the melt down or help its person have a reason to leave the situation in which they are feeling stressed.
      Service dogs have many uses and are vital to their people. It’s cold hearted to think that MOST people who have service dogs are just scammers or fakers.

    • Ugh, you are one of the reasons the ADA exists. There are service dogs that alert an owner they are about to have an epileptic fit, or go into a diabetic coma, alert the owner of sounds they can’t hear, retrieve objects that the owner can’t retrieve because they are wheelchair bound…I could go on and on but you get the picture. Why is it you feel that only a blind person deserves the service of an animal? It is truly amazing all the things dogs can do to service humans. You see police dogs that find suspects and hold them; search and rescue dogs that find missing persons or cadaver dogs that can search for and find bodies after a catastrophe, dogs that can detect drugs and dogs that can detect bombs, dogs that work for a living. It isn’t just the blind that benefit from service animals and I find your comment to be simply ignorant of the benefits of these animals. Are there people out there who exploit the law? Of course, there are people who break laws and exploit other laws as well, but that does not negate the fact that the law is needed for those who are truly disabled and benefiting from a service from their dog. A guide dog is only one of many types of service animals for an individual who has lost their sense of sight. Do you not think people that have lost other senses like hearing deserve the right to the same benefit of a service animal just because their disability is not a loss of vision? Your shallow thinking is what is wrong with this world.

  44. Last year this happened at another Lancaster business. Almost nothing was different in that situation; same dog, same veteran, same lack of paperwork, same outcome.
    He’s had 365 days to get the necessary paperwork to have the dog recognized as a service dog, but knowingly neglected to do so.
    There is no story here that necessitates ruining a local business.
    The business owner showed responsibility and this dog owner showed irresponsibility.

    • This man should have been investigated before this story ran. One look at his facebook page and anyone with a brain would know he’s just looking for attention. He served one year in our armed forces according to his facebook page and he says on his facebook page that he “trained” his pit bull himself and that it took 4 1/2 years to train the dog. There have been many comments made by people who seem to know him that he lost his leg in a motorcycle accident, not in service to our country. As the daughter of a 20 year US Navy Veteran I take offense at him using his 1 year of service to our country to gain attention.

    • Proof please. There is no required paperwork, licensing or certification. If the court said otherwise, Lancaster is looking at a major civil rights lawsuit.

      • A business owner cannot require proof but the courts can if someone is trying to prove fraud, which it is if the dog does not meet the standards.

    • You are not required by law to carry your service dogs paperwork to prove their certification. He has every right to bring his dog in the restaurant and regardless of being able to refuse service to anyone, he does NOT have the right to refuse service to someone solely because of their service animal. It’s against ADA and Service animal laws. PERIOD!!

    • @John Howard, Rex is that you? Trying to get ahead of a law suit concerning a dog?
      Think ever guy in town knos how you feel about pit bulls. Dude! You crack me up! You already had the guy investigated!

      • My birth certificate says John Howard on it. It is my name and has been for almost 42 years now. I’m a real person, not a lawyer and I obviously live in Quartz Hill (from previous comments on AVTimes)
        I am however a member of a number of FB groups including GPoL. It was easy to search AVLTE and see that this DID in fact happen last year at one of the Tarzana Treatment Centers in the AV, when at that time he was trying to call it a therapy dog.
        Trust me I don’t have a dog in this fight because if I did I would post his DD Form 214..

        Google searching ADA laws are fun and all but when you actually search case law on this issue it quickly becomes apparent that Businesses DO in fact have the right to refuse and revoke access of service animals.

    • There is no necessary paperwork for a service dog. Haven’t you been paying attention? You should, because now everyone knows you’re lying.

      • I believe he was trying to say that the court was requiring the proof not the business owner. If the courts are trying to prove fraud than they do have the right to show some type of proof.

  45. FFSm it’s easy enough to look it up. Tags are recommended, not required. They can be any kind of dog and trained by thr owner, his family or anyone familiar with dog training:
    http://pets.thenest.com/service-dog-requirements-california-9795.html

    The ADA defines a service animal as any guide dog, signal dog, or other animal individually trained to provide assistance to an individual with a disability. If they meet this definition, animals are considered service animals under the ADA regardless of whether they have been licensed or certified by a state or local government.
    http://www.ada.gov/qasrvc.htm

  46. All you people yammering about how you have cleverly analyzed the picture and come up with an opinion on the qualifications of the dog realize that unless you are an animal control officer your opinion doesn’t matter in the least, right? It actually doesn’t even matter if the dog is “certified” by the owner, the fencepost, or Danny’s School for Dogs…unless you are an animal control officer.

    Your unsupported commentaries regarding the dog are actually treading very close to the federal laws governing this issue. You don’t get to run around making life harder for people with disabilities just because you have appointed yourself as a dog expert.

  47. I believe the restaurant owner was way out of line in this certain situation, this man clearly is disabled, and at that a disabled veteran. Someone who put his life on the line to give us the freedom we have here in the United States of America. The owner and all of us own the veterans of our great country alot for what they have done and given up for the people of the United States. People open your eyes and your heart and give the men women who are serving and served in the military. These people are hero’s for the job they have signed up for. So as far as I’m concerned is I will never eat at that Louis Restaurant again. The people of the A.V. join me in this boycott. Thank you to all that has served or is servin.

      • What a stupid thing to say. You want to patronize this place because they refused service to a wounded veteran.

        You must be so proud.

        • Not a Veteran but maybe a guy that was acting like a jerk… who just happens to be a Veteran. I say treat people the way you want to be treated. He didn’t have to act out just to get his way.

    • Mr. Leahy was in the military for one year. Approximately two months of that would have been basic training, then the next step for combat or whatever field he was in. So in actuality, he probably only served less than 6 months actually active duty. I know of a gentleman from this valley who graduated from AVHS and now has 18 years active duty. He is truly a veteran. 6 months active duty should not be considered veteran status. He was barely out of diapers. He (Mr. Leahy) should use the title prior military member but NOT veteran.

  48. I just looked at his FB page…why don’t some of you do the same instead of BELIEVING what the AV Times writes just on Mr. Leahy’s experience.

    HE PLAINLY STATES THAT HIS DOG IS A PIT BULL…! I call BULL [removed] ON HIS STORY!

    Robert Thomas Leahy
    October 1, 2014 · Edited ·
    What time does walmart close ?They dont do the 24 hours thing anymore I don’t think… I DO SO LOVE TO STRUT, my well behaved, PITBULL..85 lb..service animal through WALMART..ON THE busiest day of the month… just because I CAN.. Sometimes…its just like scaring little kids on Halloween… they just drop their bags and run…Ignorant people are FUN to watch.. And they seem to cluster [removed] at Walmart .lol
    Robert Thomas Leahy’s photo.
    Share
    5 people like this.

    Erica Littleford The one on 10th and p is open 24 hours. Its the only one
    October 1, 2014 at 9:55pm · 1

    Jazzmine Mahan Sadie it the sweetest dog, and it’s a damn shame that anyone is scared of her, unless of course they are trying to rob you- then I’m sure they will need to run for their lives
    October 2, 2014 at 4:22am · 2

    Janet Lee Matthiesen Dempsey Sweet SADIE GIRL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Kiss her head for me!
    October 2, 2014 at 7:03pm · 1

      • Exactly. ANY breed of dog can be a service dog. Smh. People just dont don’t know what they’re talking about.

    • This mans facebook page shows that he was only in our armed forces for 1 year. There have been many comments from people who seem to know him stating that he lost his leg in a motorcycle accident, not as a result of service to our country. On his facebook page he states that HE trained his pit bull to be a service dog and that it took him 4 1/2 years to train the dog. Before boycotting a business over this matter, further investigation seems in order.

      • Only in the service for 1 yr ! Um, how long did you service ? It only takes 1 day to be in the service. What you only get kudos, benefits, acceptance, or reconnection if you service longer ? How long should someone be in the service to be recognized has a member of the military and of the USA ? Anyone can see he is disabled, it doesn’t take a rocket scientist to know that. So just what is the problem ? The law is the law. Read above. Federal law trumps state, county, city, local law. The dog doesn’t need to be trained by a service dog community. He doesn’t have to show papers on the dog or himself. He doesn’t need tags or special harness, or lead. The owner of Louis’ is wrong. Being removed from a business for being disabled, or for being disorderly are to different things. He was not posing a threat to anyone. Also you don’t need to be injured in the service to be disabled. It really doesn’t matter how he injured his leg. That is irrelevant. Please answer me this, what disability trumps another disability ??

        • It appears that many people are offended that he brings up the fact that he is a disabled vet and using it for sympathy while in fact he may never have seen live combat and didn’t loose his leg while protecting our country.

          He gives us the illusion that his disability is because he was protecting us and risking life and limb. People want to feel sorry for someone like that. Come on, who are you going to feel more for, the guy who lost his leg while saving his unit in some war or the guy who was out messing around was being careless and had an accident?

      • It is perfectly legal and actually preferred that the owner train their own dog. Regardless of how he got hurt, it does not diminish he need for the service dog. How do you know his motorcycle accident hasn’t caused him to have ptsd? If he lost his leg during that accident, I’d say that’s pretty traumatizing. Losing a limb, no matter how you lose it, is a traumatic experience and it will affect you the rest of your life.
        If you’ve done any research into how to train a service dog, you’d know it can take anywhere from 18 months to 4 or even 5 yrs to train a dog depending on your needs. There are many organizations that will help and guide you through how to train your own dog and many that will take your dog as a pup and train them for you. And Pit Bulls are a wonderful breed to train for this because they are so smart and willing to please.
        Also, who cares how long he was in the Armed Forces? He served. No one knows why he was only there a year. Maybe he got hurt, maybe he got sick, you don’t know. So don’t make assumptions or insinuate things you know nothing about.

    • sounds like he has some sort of complex. Needs to make up for something and trying to bs himself into a pity party

  49. His rights/civil liberties are denied. A service dog is allowed in restaurants/malls to assist the person. Disabilities can be sight, mobility, detecting a seizure,…. I think he is looking for a reason not to allow the dog in; take note and stay out of his business!

  50. I smell BS service dog ha right helps him stop and walk up stairs that doesn’t make it a service dog. Does this guy drive if so does the dog help him stop. This has nothing to do with him being a veteran so don’t jump on the band wagon as I do thank him and all veterans. This has to do with people saying their dog is a “service dog” when they are not enough already what does a purse dog do?????

    • Are you really that ignorant. If the dog is trained to help him walk upstairs it can be a service dog. Do research before you open your cock holster and spout BS.

      • Dale, that’s a big word hope you know what it means because you don’t understand the meaning of a service dog. So your full of BS when you find out then talk about the thing in my holster you want.

  51. The leash that he has on the dog is not going to give him any support, whether on stairs or flat ground. The dog is more likely going to throw him off balance in any of the situtations he mentioned.

  52. So the lack of his leg does not mean he’s handicapped ..he clearly stated that the dog helps him up down the stairs and helps him stop when he’s moving ….the owner told him to leave only because he thought it was a pit bull not for any other reason I work in the restaurant business and I see a handicapped person with a service dog that’s it ….. oh and I would be mad and yelling if I was refused service because of the breed of my dog so if he would have came in with a poodle would it have been different ???? Support our vets he was wronged and that it

    • How ironic…….two things Rex tries to avoid at all costs. Pit bulls and veterans. The perfect anti-Rex storm.

      • rex IS a pitbull. You’ve heard of dogs called ‘rex’ before.

        Anyway, restaurant owners should refuse service to anyone who walks into their establishments with ‘rex’ parris; on or off a leash.

        I wonder if rex ever thinks that when he eats at a local restaurant, that funny taste in his pasta might be something unsavory added by someone in the kitchen who isn’t one of rex’s fans.

        Would you want to be rex’s ‘food taster’? I nominate Marv or Ron as they seem willing to do anything to stay on rex’s good side…..as if there is a good side.

  53. The dog pictured is ahead of, instead of beside the man. He is straining the leash. Actually, there is no leash, just a short strap implying lack of control. The pull to the left shows attention seeking behavior.

    Sorry, no sign at all of service dog training. There is no way that dog pictured above could meet all the requirements of service dog training as listed below.

    CONTROLLED UNLOAD OUT OF A VEHICLE: The service dog must wait until released before coming out of the vehicle. Once outside, it must wait quietly unless otherwise instructed by the Individual. The service dog may not run around, be off lead, or ignore commands. Essentially, the service dog should be unobtrusive and unloaded in the safest manner possible.
    APPROACHING A BUILDING: After unloading, the service dog should stay in a relative heel position and not forge ahead or lag behind. The service dog should not display a fear of cars or traffic noises and must display a relaxed attitude. When you stop for any reason, the service dog should also stop.
    CONTROLLED ENTRY THROUGH A DOORWAY: Upon entering a building, the service dog should not wander off or seek attention from the public. The service animal should wait quietly until you are fully inside, and then should calmly walk beside you. The service dog must not pull or strain against the lead or try to push its way past the individual but should wait patiently while entry is completed.
    HEELING THROUGH A BUILDING: Once inside a building, you and your service dog should be able to walk through the area in a controlled manner. The service dog should always be within touching distance where applicable or no greater than a foot away from you. The service dog should not seek public attention or strain against the lead (except in cases where the service dog may be pulling your wheelchair, if applicable). The service dog should readily adjust to speed changes, turn corners promptly, and travel through a crowded area without interacting with the public. In tight quarters, such as store aisles, the service dog must be able to get out of the way of obstacles and not destroy merchandise by knocking it over or by playing with it.
    SIX FOOT RECALL ON LEAD: You should be able to sit your dog, leave it, travel six feet, then turn and call the service dog to you. The service dog should respond promptly and not stop to solicit attention from the public or ignore the command. The service dog should come close enough to you to be readily touched. The recall should be smooth and deliberate without your service dog trudging to you or taking any detours along the way.
    SITS ON COMMAND: Your service dog must respond promptly each time you give it a sit command, with no more than two commands with no extraordinary gestures.
    DOWNS ON COMMAND: After your service dog follows the down command, food should be dropped on the floor. Your service dog should not break the down to go for the food or sniff at the food. You may give verbal and physical corrections to maintain the down, but without any extraordinary gestures. The second down will be executed, and then an adult and child should approach your dog. The service dog should maintain the down and not solicit attention. If the child pets the dog, the service animal must behave appropriately and not break the stay. The individual may give verbal and physical corrections if the service dog begins to break the stay.
    NOISE DISTRACTION: Your service dog may acknowledge nearby noises, but may not in any way show aggression or fear. A normal startle reaction is fine (the service dog may jump and or turn), but the service dog should quickly recover and continue along on the heel. The service dog should not become aggressive, begin shaking, etc.
    RESTAURANT: While seated at a dining table (restaurant or other suitably alternative location), your service dog should go under the table or, if size prevents that, stay close by the individual. If the service dog is a very small breed and is placed on the seat beside you, it must lie down. The service dog must sit or lie down and may move a bit for comfort during the meal, but should not be up and down a lot or need a lot of correction or reminding.
    OFF LEAD: While your service dog is on the leash, drop the leash while moving so it is apparent to the dog. You should be able to maintain control of the service dog and get the leash back in its appropriate position. This exercise will vary greatly depending on your disability. The main concern is that the service dog be aware that the leash is dropped and that the person is able to maintain control of the dog and get the leash back into proper position.
    CONTROLLED UNIT: When you leave a building with your service dog on leash, the dog should be in appropriate heel position and not display any fear of vehicle or traffic sounds.

    • This past post is what the definition of a true service dog. Although some dogs do shake from time to time. This should not be a fault in some dog Tha are not.exibiti g fearfull behavior. Otherwise I agree wholeheartedly great definition!

    • And you’re an expert on this? Can I see your qualifications to make sure you are actually qualified to be making this statement?

    • Wow, you know how to copy and paste, congratulations. Have you ever been associates with this man or seen him in action with his dog? None of you people have seen them together.

    • Did you stop and think that maybe they posed the dog this way for the photo to get a look at the dog

    • Those are the standards for people who *professionally* train service dogs. There is no requirement for those standards to be a service dog. I don’t know where you got that but it wasn’t the ADA or the State of California.

    • I have no intentions of pursuing any legal action towards this man.. my only objective is to raise the public’s awareness as to the rights of individuals with service animals, that’s all. in no way do I intend to pursue financial gain or to destroy the business in question. It’s the principles involved. Period..as for that long list of requirements you posted…not a problem. Those were my guidelines for training her in the first place….

      • Than why did you say numerous times on your own facebook page that you were going to make him pay with mention of money?

  54. As a Vet I can say that I’ll probably not go to Louis Burgers. I don’t know the depth of the story but I’ll just say bad practice of turning an obvious disabled person away. At one point and time I could say I didn’t like Pit Bulls/Terriers. But after rescuing and raising one from a puppy she is the best well behaved of all the rescue dogs I have. she plays with the other dogs and the cats. When we would foster dogs she takes to dogs and cats. It’s not the dog it’s the owner. I lived in Europe and dogs were allowed in pubs as long they were leashed and well-trained. Come to think of it I never ran across an aggressive dog. I was Anti-Pit Bull but now it’s more Anti Bad Pit-bull Owner.

    • To add she is good and protective with kids and loves the trampoline. 10 years later she still jumps on it by herself and loves popping tennis balls and soccer balls. She changed my opinion and now I look at a bit bull/terrier through the way the owner interacts with the dog. Dogs are an extension of your personally. If Sadie wasn’t trained I’m sure she would have became aggressive when voices were raised if she detected a threat.

      • The whole point to this is that it is illegal to question a person about their service dog. A service animal is not required to carry paperwork with them. This owner is clearly prejudiced against pitbulls, which is why he asked for paperwork in the first place.

  55. Service animals aside…bringing ANY animal into a store, or restaurant is not fair to those that have allergies. For that matter what about the dander an animal leaves behind, No matter how well groomed? It could float into your cooked food. So if there is an allergic reaction, or he poops, who is held liable? I work retail, and there are animals that come into the store that NO WAY are service animals. I’ve seen a bird on a shoulder, small dogs that sit in the child’s seat, and even a snake. The people that take advantage of the fact we are not allowed to ask, ruin it for those who rely on them to be able to have a productive life.

    • If a dog or cat is raw fed the dander is not a problem for allergic people but most are not. My animals are raw fed so it is not.an issue he is a service dog. I agree people do take advantage which has a direct impact on the dogs who are really helping the humans

    • Unless there was so ridiculous unforeseen circumstance that was totally outrageous, there is no way a service dog would ever poop inside any facility!!

  56. The Restaurateur refused to see past the animal’s exterior referring to it as a “pit bull” instead of what it has been trained to be, a service dog. Saying that a pit bull can’t be a service animal, in my opinion, is akin to saying (race/color/creed) can’t be successful. Prejudice is a prejudgment of a person, place, or thing and this owner allowed his prejudice to control his logic.

    Real Service Dogs are accredited and trained by professionals with appropriate identification. Sadly many people claim their dogs are service animals when they are not. This puts the owner of a food establishment in a difficult position because legally they can only ask if the animal is a service dog. I hope for the diner’s sake he has legitimate paperwork to validate his service animal.

    • “Real Service Dogs are accredited and trained by professionals with appropriate identification.” absolutely not true. There is NO required accreditation, certification or identification for service animals. Also not all service animals are trained by professional trainers.
      http://www.nsarco.com/federal-law.html

  57. Veteran or not, handicapped or not, just because you say you “trained” your dog – whatever breed – to help you does not mean it is properly trained to be in restaurants, crowds, or social situations like a professionally trained service animal is. And I think we all know that saying this man’s dog is not a “pit bull” is a matter of semantics. Mr. Leahy just needs to get his pet properly trained as a service animal, or acquire an actual service animal, and then there can be no misunderstandings.

    • obviously you didn’t read the damn article! it IS a TRAINED SERVICE dog. “Leahy said his dog, Sadie, has been trained to help him up and down the stairs. Sadie is equipped with a full harness and leader, helping to stabilize his walk, while also serving as a break when he is unable to stop on downhill momentum, he said.” did you not read that part? he never stated “He” trained his own dog, he states his dog had been trained.

      • “has been trained” is a very vague statement. What about the rest of the training a service dog goes through for distractions, temperament, proper heeling and position in crowds, etc.? Just assisting in a particular set of circumstances does not make it a properly trained service dog – see the post from “just saying” above. He SHOULD have a trained service dog – he certainly deserves that! But the dog pictured is clearly not one, and he’s using his status as a disabled vet to gain sympathy because he couldn’t get his way. I find that disturbing.

  58. I just peeked at his face book page after talking to someone that was there when this incident occurred. First, the witness said the man with the dog was loud and yelling at the owner of the restaurant, and the owner was calmly asking him to leave. How this story got so twisted and one-sided is a complete surprise. The man with the dog has also created a “Ban Louie’s” face book page. Seems as though this is getting completely out of hand and the man with the dog was the aggressor in the situation, according to a witness that was there at the time. We should not jump to conclusions based on this story. The AV Times usually writes a fair story, but this one looks like it has completely gotten it incorrect. Also, the gentlemen seems to refer to his dog as a pit on his face book page and rides a dirt bike. This has me questioning the validity of the “service dog” argument he is presenting. We need to take a step back and not judge the restaurant so harshly yet until more evidence presents itself. Perhaps The AV Times should research whether this mans’ dog IS actually a service dog, and interview witnesses and the restaurant owner before getting everyone rallied together to close a restaurant that has been in the AV for so very long.

    • Have you actually read the article? I don’t think you did or you wouldn’t be saying AV Times needs to interview the restaurant owner. If anything, I think this story is swayed too much on the restaurant owner’s side! Who cares if he has been serving veterans for 20 years, he wronged this one and that’s what matters. The ADA requirements clearly state that no documents need to be presented to confirm if a dog is a service dog, so why does the restaurant owner continue to claim differently all throughout the story? Why didn’t the reporter correct him in the interview?
      And no where in the article does it describe the manner in which the man was asked to leave or who was yelling at who. That is hearsay that thankfully was left out of the story. The restaurant owner is wrong and he was given a free pass by AV Times!!

    • Do some reading… many people wiht disabilities can still do plenty of things that able bodied people can do… including ride dirt bikes in some cases. Maybe his dirt bike has a modification that enables him to do dirt biking but he still needs the pup/wants the pup for “just incase” scenarios. Perhaps the pup is also providing emotional support, and if that is the case, his owner has every right to not reveal that to a restaurant owner or us the public.
      Everyone who does not have a disability or who is not close to someone who does have a disability cannot possibly gage whether a person with a disability “really needs” the accomodations they access, so don’t even try! There are lots and lots of poeple with non-visible disabilities (visual, emotional, internal, etc) so how could you possibly know what kind of accomodations anyone needs just by looking at them. — Especially a veteran!– Just thank God you don’t have a bunch of Douche Bags judging your disabled parking sticker, your service dog, or the extra time that enables you to take a university exam.

  59. I am so sick and tired of all these fake people, running around saying that they have service animals. Therapy animals are not service animals. The law states any service animal has to be identified to the person and what the animal is trained to do. The animal has to be well trained and behave and not cause a disturbance. If they do cause a disturbance the business can ask the owner to remove the animal. My daughters service animal is registered with the state of California as a service dog and is validated by a physician. We have no problem showing proof of validation at any time for her service animal. You can’t just pick any dog and say it’s service animal. All you fake A Holes rott in hell if your dog isn’t a service animal because people actually need this. California needs to make identification for all service animals to show proof

    • If your daughter really has a disability, then you must understand that you cannot possibly gage whether a person with a disability “really needs” the accomodations they access, so why are you doing it? And no, the law does not require that a person with a disabilty produce any documentation to prove…

      • what I said is we have no problem producing documentation and that a law should be passed that makes it mandatory to have documentation this would solve a lot of problems and get rid of all the fake wannabes

    • It is wonderful you were able to afford a service animal for your daughter! Many Veterans don’t have a lot of money to be able to get a new dog! Sometimes the dog you already own realizes that you came home injured and does everything in its power to learn how to help you!
      My daughter has a severe disability and our boxer has taught himself to help her up when she falls, let her put her weight on him just to do every day things!
      We are in the process of finding out how to get him to be certified but I haven’t found any one who is willing to work with my family since we are living off of disability benefits. Sadly we are all disabled! I am not saying this guy didn’t have his dog trained professionally cause I read the article and it says right there the dog was trained professionally!!!

      • I am so glad to hear the animal you have now can accommodate your daughters needs. to register the animal you can call up the Humane Society they will give you a listing of the licensing department in Long Beach they will send you the forms to fill out this is all free of charge they ask the doctor to verify the need and it will register the dog for life and identify the animal to your daughter free of charge as for the training you can contact the North Los Angeles Regional Center they have various agencies that will be willing to train your animal for you free of charge if it’s suitable for the task and meet minimum income requirements.

  60. The photo of that dog shows improper behavior of a trained service dog.
    http://www.nsarco.com/service-animal-public-access-s.html
    Doesn’t look like a service dog to me. I’d expect a full on NSAR vest with appropriate patches, like the dogs have that ARE allowed in the restaurant.
    http://www.nsarco.com/service-animal-vests.html
    http://www.nsarco.com/service-animal-patches.html
    If I was in a restaurant, and the staff allowed a dog in with just a Petco harness on, I would leave before he took a dump or bit someone.

    • ANYONE can buy a vest and the patches online. There are NO standardized Federal requirements as to what a service animal looks like. If the animal provides necessary assistance enabling its owner to enjoy all the liberties and rights that able-bodied people have, then by law they, and their service animal, cannot be refused UNLESS the animal is disruptive in some way. Owners must make sure that their service animals do not poop or pee inappropriately, bite, growl, are aggressive, or in any way disrupt others…THAT is what the law states.

  61. The only authority to inquire on the status of a service animal status are licensed city/county animal enforcement personnel. Service animals are considered a medical need, and are not subject to registration fees, but still must be licensed and registered through the county. In order to get an exemption of the fees, you have to have a doctor sign off the animal is a service animal. There have been cases where restaurants did deny a patron, the restaurant won. ADA Lawsuit After Dog Banished from Burger King, Lewis v. Burger King, Case No. 09-2160 (C.A. 10, September 4, 2009). The disabled individual was not able to prevail. But yes, business owners serving the public can not ask for any proof of licensing or demonstrate what the animal does. One case particular 150 lb disabled man brought in a puppy, service dog in training…They are technically not certified or completed the training. Burger King refused, and they also prevailed because the puppy was not capable of brace the man to prevent a fall. A business owner can choose to say no to in training animal, but most will allow, particular if the animal is training with the disable person. I was sorry to see in the case he was denied based on false pretenses from the business owners lack of understanding liability and responsibility.

  62. From a site on the internet, the breed is classed as : Classed by AKC as “American Staffordshire Terrier” and by UKC as “American Pit Bull Terrier,”
    I’m sorry this has happened to Louis Burgers. They are between the rock and a hard place via one law to another. But if I had children and had them in the restaurant and this dog came and sat down next to us, I’m afraid I would leave out of fear. Yes, the laws are there for the disabled, but the non-disabled have laws to protect them also. Here’s hoping the owners of Louis Burgers get this cleared up, as they are the nicest people in the restaurant business I know.And since there are no stairs inside the building where the vet would need assistance from the dog, maybe the vet could have leashed the dog outside in the patio area before going inside. But then again, this Carol Stephens from the San Fernando Valley could not be aware I’m sure of the layout of this business. And no, it would not be discrimination it would be common sense and courtesy by the vet for his common man.

    • Has the law changed? I see more people bringing their family pets (dogs) into grocery stores (Stater Bros.) which is where I shop. Haven’t seen any dogs in restaurants yet.

    • They aren’t between any “rock and hard place” at all. They ask the guy if he is disabled, he says yes. They ask if the dog is a service dog, guy says yes. End of problem, as they have obeyed all the laws that apply to them.

      If the guy is the healthiest human on the planet and the “service dog” is actually a space alien scouting ahead of an invasion that does not matter in the least, as the enforcement of the laws that the healthy man and his alien friend might be breaking is not the responsibility of the business.

      If animal control happens along and does their job they identify the alien. I don’t know who is responsible for dealing with false claims of disabilities, but if they come along and do it, great. If the health department comes along and says “why is there a dog in here?” they say “guy says he is disabled and that’s his service dog.” That’s all there is to it.

      • Tim, you are right on absolutely. The law is about protecting the privacy of the people with diabilities… done and done.

    • These nice restaurant owners (actually one of their daughters) took my money last Christmas Eve and then swore she never took my money. Louis, her father, sided with her. I KNOW I gave her my money. I don’t know what she did with it, but their refusal to even entertain the possibility that their daughter made a mistake, as well as Louis yelling at me, cost them a customer of several years. They are not the nicest people, and they know nothing about customer service.

  63. Ok first I wanna say there are always two side to every story I managed a local restaurant and we were trained if they don’t have a service vest and papers they cannot come into the restaurant also I wanna say I have been going to Louis for over 10 years and they have always been helpful with my wheelchair and crutches opening doors and serving at the tables I have seen service dogs in their but they had vests to prove they were indeed service dogs I really don’t think it should be a problem he needs to follow rules like everyone else show the paperwork any kind of breed can be a service dog so not to say a pitbull can’t do it its just very uncommon. Clearly he has been wounded clearly may need assistance but if a service dog is a service dog he would just show the papers and vest and be done why make a big deal out of something that is not.

    • what papers were you asking for exactly? Because there are no legally required paper work for a service animal…Any person can buy papers, identification, certification online with no problem…they don’t even have to have a disability…ANYONE can get it for their dog (any dog, any breed)…that does not prove they are a real service animal…it proves that they have money to waste and don’t know the law.

    • Anyone can but a vest and patches online. There is NO standardized vest for service dogs, and NO paperwork required for one either.

    • The Law: The Department of Justice defines service animals as dogs that are trained to perform identifiable tasks specific to an individual’s unique physical, sensory, psychiatric or mental disabilities. Dogs can be trained by the person with the disability, professionals, and friends or family members possessing a clue or some knowledge about dogs.

  65. Mr. Zaharopoulos – another ignorante Lancaster pit-bull hater.

  66. I have been going to Louis’ Burgers for about 16 yrs. now and the owners are always very nice. I wonder if the owner questioned this person, because of past experiences? I live a few blocks away and the people off of 10th st. are not the nicest… and will try to get away with what ever they can.

  67. I was a customer at Louis Burgers at the time of incident. It did not happen the why Robert is saying. Robert was very vulgar and blocking the door so customers couldn’t go in or out. The owner was very polite and asked Robert to take dog outside. Robert instantly became irate and very loud.

    • Thank you Barbara Fisher for the “other side” of the story. There is always the other side. Glad you were there so we get both sides.

  68. OK… devil’s advocate time. I can see where this restaurant owner is coming from. Although misinformed about service animal law, he is trying to protect his business. The problem as I see it is that there are no real guidelines for documentation of service animals. There are a lot of people that abuse the term. Some even go as far as printing fake documentation proclaiming their toy poodle or chihuahua is a service dog for depression, just so they can take it on a plane without paying cargo for it. As a veteran myself, I believe I have the right to state that just because a person has a service related injury, that does not give them the right to jeopardize a persons business by violating health code. Now… it is obvious that Robert Leahy is disabled and has stated his dog has been trained to help him walk, but how does Louis Zaharopoulos know this for a fact? If he takes Leahy’s word for it and in fact the dog is not properly trained and certified as a service dog there could be a variety of health code violations. And if someone got bit by this dog, he would be held responsible. There needs to be federal guidelines in place. A service dog should be prescribed by a doctor the same as medication, or even a cane like the VA does. Once the prescription is filled with a properly trained animal, that person carries an I.D. card for that animal. It does not need to include any personal info, just simply state it’s a therapy animal. Just like your drivers licence stating you need glasses to drive. The animal should also have a vest with an I.D number that matches the photo I.D. Hell… it could be added to a drivers licence or state I.D. Seems pretty simple to me. Maybe I’ll write congress with my recommendations and get a law made in Sadie’s name!

    • Gary you are absolutely right, states or the feds need to put laws on the books to relieve business and property owners of liability for the actions of service animals. This could get sticky though because then a business owner who is being sued for the actions of a non-service-animal could claim that he “thought” it was a service animal, or that he was lied to about the service animal status… really a problem for determining liability…

    • I wholeheartedly agree with this statement. I train service dogs as well as I have one myself. I get so upset when I go to a store and a dog is out of control pissing on merchandise or barking at my dog aggressively or fearfully which clearly is not a proper trained service dog. My dog is trained not to react to other dogs period unless I give me a cue that he can say hello. The internet has so many fake websites that you pay money to to get a document saying it is a service dog. This is appallingly to me. I agree there needs to be more regulation as well as proof that the dog has to be properly trained to be a service dog. I will not certify a dog that does not show proper etiquette around both humans as well as other animals regardless of size or type. They also need to have more than basic training training they need much more advanced training they are not reactive to normal or unforeseen situations in a negative manner. I can’t tell you how many times dogs have jumped out of a shop in cart while in a store and ran up to my dog acting like a fool. First of all why is this dog in a cart anyways?. I do understand that maybe to ground may be to hot outdoors but in a shopping center the dog needs to be treated like a service dog.and be a fricken dog not.someone’s companion toy that is a jerk around other people places and things. I have had estaishments question me regarding my service dog and I do have a vest and I’d county service dog license as well as a VERY Well behaved and very well trained dog. I do however answer questions as to what he does for service for me which I do tell them even though by law I don’t have to. This way I can both educate the person who is asking me the questions what he does as well as what the laws do state since most establishments don’t really know what the laws are. I also carry with me.a copy of the ADA which clearly shows the laws that pertain to a service dog. Any business owner has the right to ask them to leave if the dog is a threat nasty obnoxious or destroying property. A properly trained service dog regardless of who trained it does not exhibit these types of behaviors period while working.

  69. Boycott the business simple as that, I hate when people assume all pitbulls are dangerous for the actions of a few who weren’t raised properly. I take my dog who is a blue nose pit out all the time and little and big dogs alike will come & bark aggressively in her face to the point where I pick up my dog and tell them to train there dog. Punish the deed not the breed. It’s also really screwed up that they denied serving a man who risked his life for this country. [removed] LOUIS’ BURGER & there bigotry. I hope no one in the AV decides to support them after this.

  70. So any one can bring any dog into any restaurant and say they are handicapped for any number of reasons the state should help that by giving special color harness or equipment to those dog owners confusion over….. hopefully

    • Sorry, I don’t think so… .99 cent burgers. Good food and nice people. Plus you just gave them more business with that pic… jeje..

      • Undoubtedly correct. This is modern America, where price conquers all. People would buy a feces burger from Attila the Hun as long as it is cheap enough.

  73. i understand all the questions regarding dogs that aren’t real service dogs. But, use commend sense. The poor man has lost a leg. Plus, these dogs are raised for all disabilities. Also, when you have Service Dog with you, it is not common practice to carry the papers too, unless it’s like the air lines, etc. In my opinion, shame on the owner. He just brought himself bad publicity… Very sad.

    • “The poor man has lost a leg”. Robert, or Peg as he is known in his circle, has been taking advantage of that for the 20 plus years I have known him. And the “disabled Vet” gig, yes he is disabled, however, he is not quite telling the entire stoRy. He lost his leg in a motorcycle accident. He just happened to be enlisted at the time. And he has had that dog since a pup, self trained, not professionally. If she is a trained service dog, why didnt he hop on home and just get her paperwork? That would sure make Louis Burgers look bad. He didn’t because he has no such papers. This shouldn’t even be in the paper. Boycot the AV press if your going to boycott anything

      • He didn’t “hop on home” and get his paperwork, as you so callously stated, BECAUSE THE PAPERWORK IS NOT REQUIRED TO BE SHOWN PER ADA LAW! The fact that you would say “hop on home” confirms that you are an insensitive jerk! You have known this man for 20+ years and this is how you speak about him?! Smh… Too bad you didn’t leave your real name so that this man could boycott you! Shame on you! You are a disgrace!!

  74. I agree with the restaurant owner. He was protecting his business. Most places I tried taking my dog to have told me he cannot be there unless he is a service dog with the papers to prove it. Since he isn’t, I respected their word. Cannot fight with laws/regulations set.

    • I have a Service Dog and I carry her ID with me every where I go. If ask I show them her ID Nothing else is requried

      • I’m not sure you should have to, constitutionally. It is a strange argument for me. The libertarian in me says “screw you government” BUT the human in me says “We are all human, and we are all scared and need proof”.

  75. I thought DOGs were used only for those with VISUAL IMPAIRMENTS, how does the dog help his leg?

    • Actually Vet can get dogs for hearing loss,ptsd many other factors service dogs are not for the blind

    • There are several types of service dogs. Guide dogs are probably the most common but mobility (which is what the owner claims his is) as well as psychiatric service dogs.

      Service dogs must be trained to complete sometimes very complex tasks. Anything from fetching medication to turning on lights. They can be taught to block a person’s path, act as support while walking or alert their handlers of a crossing walk. I have even read of service dogs clearing the airways of people who have seizures.

  76. Pit bull or not doesnt matter. Chihuahuas can be service animals!!! And the restaurant owner is arrogant and ignorant as to not only the laws but also that mans rights!! I for one will not ever set foot in that restaurant again.

  77. If the health department tells you to break the laws set up by the Americans with Disabilities Act, I guarantee you that you would have NO TROUBLE finding an attorney to recoup your damages and MUCH more.

    Mr. Leahy, please file a complaint against this establishment so that the Department of Justice can take the necessary action against the owner.
    http://www.ada.gov/filing_complaint.htm

    Mr. Zaharopoulos – you may want to read up on the ADA regarding service animals because despite what your “beliefs” are, you are required to follow the law.
    http://www.ada.gov/qasrvc.htm
    I know you’ve lost my business unless/until you’ve made this right and I plan to share this story with everyone I know, especially every veteran I come into contact with and their supporters.

    • I have no intentions of pursuing any legal action towards this man.. my only objective is to raise the public’s awareness as to the rights of individuals with service animals, that’s all. in no way do I intend to pursue financial gain or to destroy the business in question. It’s the principles involved. Period.

  78. Well the man is definitely handicapped. So many of us are handicapped but you can’t really see what’s wrong with us and by law you can’t ask. Our medical problems are private. But his handicap is obvious. Now it might be a question if he needs the dog but why question it, He is handicapped.

    • He might not be obviously handicapped if wearing long pants, so asking “do you have a disability?” when he walks in with a dog seems appropriate enough. But as soon as he says yes that conversation should end, period. Breed of the dog, health department requirements, insurance liability issues, whatever else the owner wants to prattle on about…none of that is allowed by the ADA.

      Kicking out the disabled veteran…very poor form.

  79. I thought there were no pit bulls in Lancaster? Didn’t Rex outlaw them? Just like there’s no crime on the BLVD thanks to his singing birds. No more homeless thanks to his threats to close down the Metrolink station. No gangs because of the eye in the sky. A regular Shangri-La-dee-da utopia.

    • No crime on the BLVD….what a laugh lol. I used to pick my son up from BeX at 2:00 a.m. or later and the scary people that hang out there yikes!!! I’d like to see King Rex there at 3:00 a.m. and tell me there is no crime!

      As for the vet that got kicked out…shame on you Mr. Zaharopoulos!!! You are NEVER getting my business!!

  80. “You have to be in the restaurant business to understand what I’m talking about,” Zaharopoulos said.

    I do? Why? Only people in the restaurant business can read?

    The Americans with Disabilities Act is not in any way confusing, and Zaharopoulos could not be more obviously wrong if he said the dog was a space alien.