IT’S against the law – not to mention downright unconscionable – that a blind man and his family were turned away from a motel because the owner refused to let his guide dog stay.

Sydney police were even called after Jason Merkley, his wife and 14-month-old daughter had their Easter holiday cut short. The Chatswood family arrived at a motel at The Entrance on the NSW Central Coast, only to be told they couldn’t stay because of Mr Merkley’s guide dog Whiskey.

“Whiskey was already harnessed when I got him out of the car but the manager’s saying, ‘No dog, no dog’ and my wife said, ‘It’s a guide dog and my husband is vision-impaired’,” Mr Merkley said.

The manager’s refusal to let them stay was illegal under discrimination laws. However, Mr Merkley didn’t name the motel because he filed an official complaint and didn’t want to influence its due process.

He and wife Jenny tried to explain to the motel manager that guide dogs were legally allowed into all venues and gave him a card with the rights of a guide dog user. The manager took no notice, flinging the card on the ground.

“I started to feel like I was going to break down and cry. I tried to walk back to the car and walked into a potted plant,” Mr Merkley said.

The couple were forced to drive back to Sydney as it was late and there was no other suitable accommodation because it was the Easter weekend.

As his wife drove, Mr Merkley called the police, who told him to take it up with Wyong Shire Council, which now intends to fine the motel

Mia’s thoughts – This story was reposted to my blog for the reason that most people have no idea that this kind of thing still occurs in the 21st century. But please be aware although this story is about a visually impared man, please note my able bodied business owning friends, most disabilities requiring assistance animals are not apparent to the naked eye. I am on a list for a dog for epilepsy and PTSD, there can be for a variety of serious physcological and phsyciatric as well as a myriad of physical conditions that qualify someone for a assistance animal, not all as obvious as for vision impairment Note, WHAT EVER THE CONDITION, IT IS AGAINST THE LAW FOR YOU TO REFUSE SERVICE OF ANY KIND ON THE BASIS OF ASSISTANCE ANIMALS.

P.S. in many states of the US and many countries around the world monkeys and minature horses are also legally approved as assistance animals.