Blind man turned away from Indian restaurant after owner says guide dog is against his Muslim beliefs



Furious: Alun Elder-Brown with Finn



A blind man was allegedly turned away from an Indian restaurant - because the owner said it was against his Muslim beliefs to allow dogs into his establishment.

Alun Elder-Brown, who was among a party of birthday guests, said he was even threatened with a police call if his guide dog Finn didn’t leave – despite showing an animal permit.

The 51-year-old sales executive is now planning to sue the Kirthon Restaurant in affluent Tunbridge Wells, Kent.

If a court finds they breached the Disability Discrimination Act, bosses could be forced to pay him compensation.

Mr Elder-Brown said today: ‘It was humiliating and degrading, especially as there were a lot of people around me.

'They told me we couldn’t come in because it was against their religious beliefs to have a dog in the restaurant.

‘They then said I could leave Finn tied up outside. I stayed calm but when they said they would call police I left.’

Mr Elder-Brown was celebrating a friend’s birthday on Saturday night with his five-year-old daughter when he was shown the door.

Staff allegedly refused to let them stay even when he showed his Institute of Environmental Health Officers card that certifies he and his dog are allowed into any premises.

Restaurant: The owner of the Kirthon said it was against his faith to let dogs in



He said: ‘It was horrible. It put a dampener on the whole celebration.

‘I don’t want to be a torch-bearer for guide dogs but this sort of behaviour has got to stop.’

He added that he is pursuing legal action under the Disability Discrimination Act, which has made it unlawful since 1996 for restaurants to refuse to serve a disabled person - including blind people with guide dogs.

Chris Dyson, of blind charity Guide Dogs, said: ‘We are extremely disappointed that Alun was refused access to this restaurant.

‘Alun’s guide dog provides him with independence and it is unacceptable if this freedom is removed because of the attitude of service providers.

‘Guide dogs are well-groomed and are trained to sit at their owner’s feet, not climb on seats or bother other customers.’

The brother of Kirthon’s owner, Amenur Abdussamad, confirmed it was against their religious beliefs to allow a dog in the restaurant.