Deaf student files complaint against Sonny's

[Miss-Delectable]

staugustine.com: the oldest city's home on the Net

Sadie Sterry went to a St. Augustine restaurant for dinner but left hungry.

The young woman, who was born deaf, wanted to bring her service dog into Sonny's Real Pit Bar-B-Q on U.S. 1 and was turned away, according to her mother, Holly Sterry.

Sterry, a 17-year-old senior at the Florida School for the Deaf and the Blind, said she talked to her counselor about what happened.

"I'm embarrassed," she said, signing through her mother. "I have this traumatic feeling it's going to happen again. Being kicked out of a place is humiliating."

A spokeswoman at Sonny's corporate office in Maitland wasn't completely familiar with the incident and declined to comment specifically.

However, Monique Yeager said, "Sonny's has not ever, ever discriminated against anyone who ever walked through our doors. We abide by all laws.

"The people who own the St. Augustine franchise are great people who have been in that market for over 25 years. We have never had a complaint about this."

Holly Sterry said she, her daughter, and her son, Cedar, went with friends to Sonny's last August. A hostess said the dog, a Chihuahua-Pomeranian mix named "Foxy," couldn't accompany them.

A manager said they wouldn't be allowed in unless they could show him "some legal documentation," said Holly Sterry.

"I realized he might not be aware," she said. "I told him we don't need any legal documentation. Florida doesn't even have legal documentation."

She does have a card with the imprint on the outside, "I'm a Service Dog." On the inside are the questions that, by law, businesses may and may not ask those who have service dogs.

"We said Foxy isn't being threatening; she isn't disruptive," Holly Sterry said.

It made no difference.

"He said, 'You guys are not coming in here,'" she added.

The Sterrys moved to St. Augustine from Maine about five years ago so that Sadie could enroll in FSDB.

Foxy is 20 months old and weighs about 4 pounds.

The family got her 15 months ago from a Florida man who breeds the low-key dogs.

Foxy has a leash, but Sadie Sterry usually carries her.

"When you hold the smaller dogs ... if there's a sound behind Sadie, Foxy's going to turn and look," said Holly Sterry.

"I feel safer with a dog," her daughter signed. "She can warn me if other people are behind me. If we're in a vehicle, and there are horns blowing.

"If I'm walking on the road, and there are people behind me, she'll alert me to it."

The Sterrys looked for a local lawyer for about six months, and couldn't find anyone to take the case. Then they contacted Eric Jones with The Jones Law Firm in Jacksonville.

"A lot of people don't do this," said Jones, whose firm handles employment and public accommodation cases. "The (Americans With Disabilities Act) is kind of fading away. Not a lot of people seem to care about it anymore.

"But Sadie doesn't want to experience this for the rest of her life. She wants to speak out because it can impact her friends."

In letters sent certified mail to Sonny's, Jones asked for mediation, an apology, training for employees and "maybe some gift certificates," he said.

He then added reimbursement for attorney fees and an undisclosed amount for Sadie Sterry's "emotional pain, suffering and consequential damages."

There has been no reply.

"We want to education the community, businesses, restaurants - all the places of public accommodation," he said. "This shouldn't take place."

Jones filed a complaint with the Florida Commission on Human Relations, the state agency that handles cases such as this.

If further attempts at mediation fail, the commission will investigate the complaint. If it is found to be valid, the Sterrys will receive a "right to sue" letter.

"We can file a claim in this jurisdiction, and we can get a jury trial," said Jones.

Sadie Sterry may also be entitled to compensation for her "emotional distress," he added.

"People really need to be educated," Jones said. "This service dog is designed to put this girl on an equal playing field, so she can hear dangerous things and feel a sense of security, like we do with our ears.

"When they take the dog away, they're virtually throwing her out to the wolves. That's the way she felt."

 

[rockin'robin]

I like Sonny's BBQ, and go there often with my boys when we're in the mood for BBQ and I'm not in the mood to fix it myself....

It was "my understanding" that service dogs were welcome at restaurants that had "outside seating", such as a patio. Sonny's does not.

And as long as the dog is wearing a "service vest".!

As for people taking their dogs "inside" the restaurant, I say NO....there are patrons that could be allergic to dogs, the dog could have an accident while the people were eating, the dog could have fleas and the restaurant could get infested......so many things could happen and spoil the enjoyment of other patrons.

I once worked part-time at a Salad Bar in a nice restaurant. This lady walked in with a very, very big dog! It wore a service vest. The dog looked dirty! The other patrons didn't like this.....however, my manager let her stay.

I am OK with service dogs eating at restaurants that have an outside seating.....but going inside, NO. And as long as the dog has a service vest, certification, looks clean and "not scratching" from fleas, etc.

 

[shel90]

I like Sonny's BBQ, and go there often with my boys when we're in the mood for BBQ and I'm not in the mood to fix it myself....

It was "my understanding" that service dogs were welcome at restaurants that had "outside seating", such as a patio. Sonny's does not.

And as long as the dog is wearing a "service vest".!

As for people taking their dogs "inside" the restaurant, I say NO....there are patrons that could be allergic to dogs, the dog could have an accident while the people were eating, the dog could have fleas and the restaurant could get infested......so many things could happen and spoil the enjoyment of other patrons.

I once worked part-time at a Salad Bar in a nice restaurant. This lady walked in with a very, very big dog! It wore a service vest. The dog looked dirty! The other patrons didn't like this.....however, my manager let her stay.

I am OK with service dogs eating at restaurants that have an outside seating.....but going inside, NO. And as long as the dog has a service vest, certification, looks clean and "not scratching" from fleas, etc.

Umm..what if it is in the middle of winter and it is nearly 0 degrees? I dont think someone with a service dog should be forced to eat outside.

 

[rockin'robin]

Umm..what if it is in the middle of winter and it is nearly 0 degrees? I dont think someone with a service dog should be forced to eat outside.

Well, that's a hard question! But, I would never take my dog out in 0 degree weather, only for her "business"......She would be better off at home.

I realize that this is really a "touchy" situation! Probably no solutions/agreements here at all.

Suppose you were in a nice restaurant, and 3-4-5 people walked in with dogs, all claiming they were "service dogs". I love dogs! But I just feel they are "out of place" in a restaurant where, again, some patrons could be allergic, the dog having fleas, or the dog not being properly bathed, maybe not even up to date with their shots!.....Suppose the dog messed on the restaurant floor!....In front of the patrons eating there....so many things could happen.

As for "outside eating", it's mainly in the Spring and Summer. But in 0 degree weather, nobody eats outside in restaurants.

My dog, Anita, goes with me everywhere! But into restaurants, NO. I keep a spare set of car keys, and if I'm in a business for a short time, I leave my car A/C or heat running, and lock my car up or one of my boys stays with her in the car.

 

[shel90]

Well, that's a hard question! But, I would never take my dog out in 0 degree weather, only for her "business"......She would be better off at home.

I realize that this is really a "touchy" situation! Probably no solutions/agreements here at all.

Suppose you were in a nice restaurant, and 3-4-5 people walked in with dogs, all claiming they were "service dogs". I love dogs! But I just feel they are "out of place" in a restaurant where, again, some patrons could be allergic, the dog having fleas, or the dog not being properly bathed, maybe not even up to date with their shots!.....Suppose the dog messed on the restaurant floor!....In front of the patrons eating there....so many things could happen.

As for "outside eating", it's mainly in the Spring and Summer. But in 0 degree weather, nobody eats outside in restaurants.

My dog, Anita, goes with me everywhere! But into restaurants, NO. I keep a spare set of car keys, and if I'm in a business for a short time, I leave my car A/C or heat running, and lock my car up or one of my boys stays with her in the car.

I wasnt just speaking of deaf people only...there are blind people and people who are paralyzed who rely on their service dogs.

Right, nobody eats outside of restaurants during the winter but if someone who has a service dog wants to eat out in a restaurant, should they be turned down service because of the dog? That's discrimination.

Service dogs are trained differently from the common pet.

 

[Babyblue]

I used at that specific place often. I never had any problems.

I am thinking the owner or staff. did not believe it was a service dog since it was being held. What ever the situation is. I believe that proof should be carried with one, that has a service animal. I also believed that the animals needs to be well groomed and clean before entering a restaurant.

It is a sticky situation. ADA laws requires places of such to allow service animals. It should be allowed.




It really does makes me wonder why so many attorneys turned down the case.

 

[somedeafdudefromPNW]

Well, that's a hard question! But, I would never take my dog out in 0 degree weather, only for her "business"......She would be better off at home.

I realize that this is really a "touchy" situation! Probably no solutions/agreements here at all.

Suppose you were in a nice restaurant, and 3-4-5 people walked in with dogs, all claiming they were "service dogs". I love dogs! But I just feel they are "out of place" in a restaurant where, again, some patrons could be allergic, the dog having fleas, or the dog not being properly bathed, maybe not even up to date with their shots!.....Suppose the dog messed on the restaurant floor!....In front of the patrons eating there....so many things could happen.

As for "outside eating", it's mainly in the Spring and Summer. But in 0 degree weather, nobody eats outside in restaurants.

My dog, Anita, goes with me everywhere! But into restaurants, NO. I keep a spare set of car keys, and if I'm in a business for a short time, I leave my car A/C or heat running, and lock my car up or one of my boys stays with her in the car.

However this case may turn out, it is going to set a precedent for ALL service dogs, not just hearing dogs. I am not so worried about the case for hearing dogs, but I am worried about the ones intended for blind people. If they are turned away when someone is blind and is dependent on their dog, then we have major issues here. This case will only set a precedent.

First time I ever heard of a toy dog being trained as a service dog though... usually they are labs, receivers or a herding type. I have mixed feeling about this case because it appear to me that this person's dog is more of a pet than a service dog. I am starting to think maybe a licensing system at a federal level is the best way to ensure equality for everyone as well as make sure that the blind and paralysed people are not treated like crap because of the dogs.

 

[yizuman]

I hope they get sued and send the manager to the dog house.

Yiz

 

[somedeafdudefromPNW]

I hope they get sued and send the manager to the dog house.

Yiz

What is it with you and reactionary responses? Seriously, cannot you not see that it is a controversial?

The fact that the dog was treated like a Paris Hilton model is enough to send mixed messages to the mainstream. Even I am unsure how the case will turn out since service dogs are suppose to be presented in a professional manner, but every time people use them unprofessionally, it is only another strike against the people that actually truly depend on them and treat their animals respectfully.

It is the only reason why I never got a guide dog, even though I am eligible for one. I just seen too many people treat their hearing dogs like toys, so the general public tend to think we don't need them. So it is because of how the general public view service dogs, on precedence of other people's behaviours, that I am not considering a service dog because I *DON'T* want MY dog to be touched by other people. But so many hearing and low vision people let other people play with their dogs while they are on duty... Sorry, I am just really frustrated whenever I have to offset bad behaviours.

I hope the girl get her equal treatment, but I wouldn't be surprised if their case was turned over and shut closed.

 

[rockin'robin]

What is it with you and reactionary responses? Seriously, cannot you not see that it is a controversial?

The fact that the dog was treated like a Paris Hilton model is enough to send mixed messages to the mainstream. Even I am unsure how the case will turn out since service dogs are suppose to be presented in a professional manner, but every time people use them unprofessionally, it is only another strike against the people that actually truly depend on them and treat their animals respectfully.

It is the only reason why I never got a guide dog, even though I am eligible for one. I just seen too many people treat their hearing dogs like toys, so the general public tend to think we don't need them. So it is because of how the general public view service dogs, on precedence of other people's behaviours, that I am not considering a service dog because I *DON'T* want MY dog to be touched by other people. But so many hearing and low vision people let other people play with their dogs while they are on duty... Sorry, I am just really frustrated whenever I have to offset bad behaviours.

I hope the girl get her equal treatment, but I wouldn't be surprised if their case was turned over and shut closed.

THANK YOU for saying what I couldn't!. You're absolutely right....I've nothing against service dogs for the blind.....it's the deafies (or some of them) that are making a "mockery" of it all.....Some feel/act that since they're deaf, they can take ANY dog ANYWHERE!...just becuz they're deaf.

 

[Cheri]

I really do not understand why deaf people need service dogs to guide them? She stated that she feels safer with her dog because the dog can warned her if other people are behind her, or if she is in a vehicle the dog will let her know who horns at her. WTF? Doesn't she have eyes???

 

[mushbean]

The girl got the dog last year and its her pet, but when she goes out she claims its a service dog so she can take it into businesses/restraunts. Florida law says a service dog can not be a pet. What gets me is what did she do before she got the dog? She plays sports does she need the dog to do that? Does the dog goto class with her?. Everday weather blind, hearing, deaf, etc people are always walking behind us, what does it matter or does she think people want to do harm to her?. No lawyer in St Augustine would take that case, if it were an honest and real case every lawyer in town would be lining up. By the familys own words the dog was breed low key, nothing was said about it being trained. All dogs will warn there owners when someone is around, mine warn me when there are people walking by my house. What saddens and bothers me is these people are abusing and minulipating the system for there own persoanl gain. I have a dog excactly like the so called service dog, and let me tell you there is no service those dogs provide except being a pest, lovable but a pest. They want people to call and boycott Sonnys, well I say if the mother works call her job and boycott her job and the daughters school. I am afraid cause of the stunt they are pulling its going to harm the ones that really do have service dogs. If I am not mistaken service dogs are not susposed to be handled by others, played with, etc cause that would interfer with the duty they are trained for.

 

[rockin'robin]

What a terrible mess! Seems the girl & her parents want some $$$ out of this! It's hurting the cause more than it's helping.....I'm hoping someone will step in and put an end to this mess.....It makes the deafies look bad.

 

[mushbean]

I agree with you. If this was legit no one would be asking for food certificates. I know alot of deaf people are upset by this. I know its a constant struggle for the deaf community to fit in, they want to be treated the same as hearing, but what this girl and her family are doing is going to hurt the deaf, blind and people with service dogs

 

[Cheri]

I agree with you. If this was legit no one would be asking for food certificates. I know alot of deaf people are upset by this. I know its a constant struggle for the deaf community to fit in, they want to be treated the same as hearing, but what this girl and her family are doing is going to hurt the deaf, blind and people with service dogs

I am with you to a degree.

What I am trying to understand is why does she need to bring her hearing dog to a restaurant? Does she need her dog to alert her if a waitress is talking to her or what?

 

[deafskeptic]

i hope they get sued and send the manager to the dog house.

Yiz

amen!

 

[mushbean]

She claims she needs her dog to alert her when people are behind her or horns honk. She was in the restraunt with her mother, brother and friends. The Mother and brother are hearing. I have a dog excactly like hers and the only thing about that dog is its cute and people want to come upto it and say awwww. The family even said it was raised low key, nothing about being trained as a service dog. There are even articles and pictures on www. staugustine .com that shows sadie playing sports and even at an event without her so called service dog.

 

[Bottesini]

She claims she needs her dog to alert her when people are behind her or horns honk. She was in the restraunt with her mother, brother and friends. The Mother and brother are hearing. I have a dog excactly like hers and the only thing about that dog is its cute and people want to come upto it and say awwww. The family even said it was raised low key, nothing about being trained as a service dog. There are even articles and pictures on www. staugustine .com that shows sadie playing sports and even at an event without her so called service dog.

Do you have a personal vendetta against this family?

 

[somedeafdudefromPNW]

THANK YOU for saying what I couldn't!. You're absolutely right....I've nothing against service dogs for the blind.....it's the deafies (or some of them) that are making a "mockery" of it all.....Some feel/act that since they're deaf, they can take ANY dog ANYWHERE!...just becuz they're deaf.

I have nothing against hearing dogs. I just wish they are treated professionally... as in they carry a license on their personnel, wear a vest while on duty, people don't play with them on duty and so on. Wearing a professional harness, and is not carried around.

If you see a service dog with the vest OFF, then it okay to touch since the dog is aware that vest-off means they are off-duty and can play or chew. However if the vest is on, then it is no touch and the dog is on duty. And carrying a dog around sends mixed message as well, since it implies that it is more of a pet than a service dog. Most of the blind people adhere to these, but it seems like you have a few young people that believe otherwise and shatter the professional look of service dogs which cause people to turn away service dogs.

 

[mushbean]

No I do not have a vendetta against that family, but what they are doing is using/abusing the law. If they want to go there then why wasn't the dog on a leash Florida law says all pets/animals must be on a leash or do they think they are above that law and exempt from it also.