The blind woman refused the entrance to Morrisons because of "the owner's allergy"

Caroline Kennelly, 54, was left in tears after she asked to leave a Morrisons Daily store in Wincheap, Canterbury, Kent, because of a sign that the owner was allergic.

A Blind Grandma claims that IT refused to enter a Morrisons Daily shop with her guide dog due to the “allergy” of the owner.

Caroline Kennelly, 54, was left in tears after the incident at Wincheap, Canterbury, Kent branch, Thursday (February 27).

According to the Law of equality, Mrs. Kennelly has the right to enter all the shops with her assistance dog, Dougie.

However, three signs in the store’s window forbid dogs, citing the “severe almond allergies” of the owner.

Despite Morrisons’ tallest, stating that the incident “should not have happened”, the local manager was firm, promising to continue the prohibition of guide dogs.

Mrs. Kennelly, who has only 3% vision due to a degenerative condition, was delighted by the first visit to the store.

She thought it would be a safer option for her, because other stores requires the Wincheap busy traffic.

Remembering the incident, she said, “I told Dougie to go forward through the door and, as I entered, the man behind the counter said:” No dogs “.

“Dougie was in his harness and work equipment, and I said” No, I’m not going. “

“I stayed there in unbelief. I tell him,” You are in violation of the law. You are not allowed to refuse my access here. “And it would not listen.”

Despite the fact that Mrs. Kennelly informed the employee that Dougie had been legally allowed in the store, he remained careless and asked him to leave.

She told her scary experience, saying, “I was almost in tears, but I was trying to keep it together.”

Then he explained the emotional disorders of such meetings: “You can stay your ground and say” I don’t leave “, but inside you are in pieces because it is intimidating and discriminating.”

Despite being a resistant person, she acknowledged: “I’m a very strong person, but when things happen, it really affects you.”

The caldel really left it worrying about future rejections: “I wonder if I will receive another refusal elsewhere. It throws your confidence. ”

Fortunately, a friend came to her help, buying the articles that Mrs. Kennelly asked.

The commission for equality and human rights has guidance that employers should ensure that employees with allergies have no contact with dogs, but also states that the prohibition of all assistance dogs is not generally a reasonable measure.

Mrs. Kennelly, a 2003 blind, because of the Pigmentosa retinitis, diagnosed for the first time at 11, now undergoes loss of peripheral vision and recognition of details beyond a few meters.

However, she noticed that her guide dog significantly raised the spirits: “It really sounds cliché, but when I received Dougie six years ago, she changed my life,” claiming that her dog helped to regain her independence and was like her best partner. Following the incident, Mrs. Kennelly addressed the access team of the Dogs Guide charity, who confirmed the illegality to refuse entering a store for someone with a guide dog.

Clive Wood, policy leader and campaign manager (regions), expressed disappointment: “We are very disappointed to hear another business that refuses access to a person with visual impairments, because they were accompanied by their dog guide.”

He emphasized the emotional impact that such incidents have on individuals, saying: “Every refusal of access experienced by a guide dog owner is devastating and moves away from their confidence.”

The recent charity survey found that an amazing 88 % of the dog owners faced access refusals from companies and services, which is usually against the law. Wood further explained: “Assistance dogs are classified as a” reasonable adjustment “in the law, because it helps people with disabilities to carry out daily activities.”

He stressed that denial of this adjustment violates equality laws in the UK and Northern Ireland.

Morrisons issued apologies for the incident, although the store manager maintained his position.

A supermarket spokesman said: “Everyone is welcome to Morrisons and, therefore, I followed the direct store, as this should not happen.”

They added: “We also reach the direct customer to apologize.”

It was noted that the Morrisons Daily store in Canterbury works as a franchise and efforts are made to work with the team there to solve the problem.

Despite the apology, the store manager reiterated that Mrs. Kennelly will not be allowed to enter with her guide dog, Dougie, because of the owner’s allergies, suggesting that a staff member could help her shopping.