Asda Bexleyheath Assistance Dog Ban Leads to Public Backlash
Asda Bexleyheath Assistance Dog Incident Details
A disabled woman, Elanor Maxey, recently faced a troubling encounter at Asda's branch in Bexleyheath, southeast London. The security guard informed her that she could not enter with her assistance dog, Genie, unless she presented a service ID or dog license, neither of which are legally required for assistance dogs.
Incident and Public Reaction
Elanor shared footage of the disagreement on TikTok, highlighting her frustration and the wrongful ban from all Asda locations in the UK. She emphasized the lack of legal requirements for service IDs or dog licenses for assistance animals.
Asda's Response
- Elanor stated that despite being dizzy and just wanting to grab a sandwich, her rights were ignored.
- Public support poured in as witnesses attempted to advocate for her during the incident.
- Asda has now apologized and rescinded Elanor's ban, affirming their commitment to welcoming assistance dogs in all stores.
The Equality Act protects individuals with assistance dogs, making it unlawful to deny access unless in rare circumstances. Asda has pledged to reinforce this policy with staff to prevent future occurrences.
This article was prepared using information from open sources in accordance with the principles of Ethical Policy. The editorial team is not responsible for absolute accuracy, as it relies on data from the sources referenced.