The FEDERAL LAW IS VERY CLEAR: Dogs are recognized as service animals and all businesses open to the public, including restaurants, must allow them in. But Subway restaurant in Paterson, New Jersey owned by Muslims who are notorious dog haters, blatantly ignored the law, and kicked U.S. Army veteran, Richard Hunter and his service dog out.

ABC13 reported that Richard Hunter’s troubled life turned around in July when the U.S. Army veteran received a service dog from the non-profit group Dogs4Warriors. The 50-year-old suffers from severe Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).

“He realizes I’m having anxiety before I do,” Richard Hunter said.

So, it was a big deal when Hunter finally took his son and a coworker to lunch a few weeks ago at a Subway restaurant in Paterson, New Jersey.

“This was huge to go out with my son for the first time in over ten years,” Hunter said.

The sign on the door said it all: “Service animals are welcome,” but Hunter claims the Muslim manager, later identified as Mitul Ahmed, a Muslim, said something very different. “I may have been holding the door when he first said something. He said, ‘The dog is not allowed in here. Get the dog out of here,’” Hunter said.

“He was clearly identified as a service animal,” Eyewitness News Investigative Reporter Sarah Wallace said. “He was wearing what he has on right now,” Hunter said. “I said he was a service animal.” “He didn’t care,” Wallace said. “That’s exactly what he said, ‘I don’t care,’” Hunter said. Hunter called the cops who said they couldn’t do anything. He then called the owner. “The owner told me straight up: ‘I can refuse service to anyone I want,’” Hunter said.

The manager, Mitul Ahmed, is denying everything. “You’re not Mitul Ahmed,” Wallace said. “No, he’s not here,” Ahmed said. Oh, and that sign on the door, suddenly changed. The line about service animals welcome was removed. The owner’s son, Zaphir Pathan arrived, with a foot-long list of excuses.

WATCH THE ENTIRE INTERVIEW

Photo courtesy of ABC13

EXTENDED INTERVIEW WITH RICHARD HUNTER:

Richard Hunter talks about being thrown out of Subway restaurant

“He realizes I’m having anxiety before I do,” Richard Hunter said.

EXTENDED INTERVIEW WITH RICHARD HUNTER:

Richard Hunter talks about being thrown out of Subway restaurant