07 May 2023 , 14:30
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A blind army veteran says he was kicked out of a pub for because he had a guide dog with him.
John Hardy, 66, said he was left feeling "humiliated, belittled and dehumanised" when the Tynte Arms in Enmore in Bridgwater, Somerset refused to serve him due his labrador Sidney.
When Mr Hardy explained Sidney was a guide dog, he was apparently told the pub was closed.
He then went outside and used special software on his phone to try and call his son Dominic to collect him, the MailOnline reports.
He claims the man who had told him to leave - believed to be the landlord - approached him at this point and said: 'Oh, you can read that then?'.
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The former army medic, who served in Northern Ireland and the first Gulf War, said: "It's humiliating and belittling. I was treated like not even a second class citizen, like not even a human being, it's horrible."
He said he'd understand being refused a drink if he was drunk or rowdy, or had visited with a regular dog but said allowances should be made for guide dogs.
Mr Hardy alleges The Tynte Arms Inn in Bridgwater refused to serve him because of his guide dog (Google Maps)"It left me with this pent-up anger and frustration inside, that just churns you up. I'm a veteran and I'm quite used to a battle and I'm not going to let somebody turn me away when I have a right to be there."
After leaving the army, Mr Hardy worked as a nurse until 2014 when a retinal artery occlusion - a blockage of blood to the retina - caused sudden sight loss in one eye, followed by the other.
He was paired with Sidney six years ago and says the pooch has given him the confidence to do everyday things others take for granted.
Mr Hardy said can manage with a white stick but is a lot slower and more limited than when guided by Sidney.
Hospitality businesses are required under the Equality Act 2010 to make reasonable adjustments to not put people with disabilities at a disadvantage, with guide dogs classed as one such adjustment.
The Tynte Arms told the MailOnline the pub been closed when Mr Hardy arrived and the door had accidentally been left open. The pub's website, however, says it's open all day.
Mr Hardy successfully sued Indian restaurant Bengal Spice in Somerset for £2,000 after being told Sidney couldn't go inside because it was "unhygienic".
He didn't make it clear whether he'd be pursuing similar legal action against the pub.
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