Retail chain Argos has issued an apology to a Brechin man amid claims he was treated unfairly for taking his support dog into a store last month.
John Johnson, 44, has post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) after being trapped in a house fire in his youth. As a result, he takes his support dog Poppy – a Staffordshire bull terrier – with him to help him cope with difficult situations.
Mr Johnson said he was in the Montrose branch of Argos with his wife Shirley on February 15 when a member of staff “marched over and demanded” to see ID to prove Poppy is a support dog.
Mr Johnson left the shop because he did not like the way he was being spoken to.
He accused staff of giving him “angry looks” when he waited outside the store while his wife is shopping there.
Mr Johnson said he had been told the reason for the commotion was to protect customers who are allergic to dogs from having a reaction. However, he said he had since visited Argos shops in Dundee and Arbroath to confirm this, and had been told there is no such policy.
Mr Johnson said: “They will know it’s a real support dog from all the signs on the collar and lead. The staff member was really aggressive and I had to get out of there. I feel it’s discriminatory to people who have support dogs.”
An Argos spokeswoman said: “We have explained to Mr Johnson that service and guide dogs are welcome in all Argos stores. We are very sorry if Mr Johnson did not receive the usual high standard of service customers can expect when shopping with us, but look forward to welcoming him and his dog in store again soon.”