Restaurant under fire for denying entry to war veteran with service dog
A Perth restaurant has been slammed after denying entry to a US war veteran and his service dog.
David Pearce and his English Labrador, Gunner, were denied entry to the Chinese restaurant Juice Bao Bao on May 19.
Gunner is a certified service dog who assists Pearce through life as he suffers from PTSD, hearing loss and a brain injury.
"I tried to explain he's a service dog and they have to allow us in and they said no service dogs, the owner doesn't want any dogs," Pearce said
"It was embarrassing, [and] a bit humiliating.”
Pearce sustained his injuries while serving in Iraq and Syria.
He has served in the US military for nearly 20 years. He and Gunner have been “best buddies” for nine years.
"He's saved my life a couple of times," Pearce said.
Pearce has launched an official complaint to the Western Australian government following the ordeal.
Juice Bao Bao manager Elaine Hsu took responsibility for the decision to refuse entry to Pearce.
"That was my personal decision so that's my fault," she told 9News.
"We want to sincerely apologise to him and we want to ask him to come here [for a] free meal.
"[We will] make sure this [does] not happen again.”
The restaurant has received a number of negative reviews since Pearce shared his story.
"I'm not really interested in a free meal, although some dumplings would go down really nicely," Pearce said .
"I'm just happy that they're changing their policy."
Assistance and service dogs are legally allowed to enter any public venue if their certification is displayed on their vest and the owner can provide a service animal ID.
Image credit: 9News / Nine