Sydney said she informed the manager that Koda is a service dog and that he wouldn’t be able to fit comfortably in the carriage. She was informed that if she didn’t put the dog in the carriage, then she would be required to leave.
She left the store and called her mom, who quickly arrived at T.J. Maxx to inform the manager of her daughter’s legal rights.
According to the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, all businesses must allow service animals in public areas.
It is only legal to ask the owner if the dog is, indeed, a service dog, and what tasks it performs.
Celeste told NewsCenter 5 that the manager apologized, but that the damage was already done.
T.J. Maxx released a statement that also apologized for the incident and said the company would take steps to ensure employees better understand the law regarding service animals.