Chiesa
TRENTON, N.J. (Legal Newsline) - New Jersey Attorney General Jeffrey Chiesa and the Division on Civil Rights announced a settlement on Wednesday with WaWa Inc. resolving allegations that a man was denied service for having a service dog.
Patrick Stark, a resident of Millville, visited a WaWa store in Millville on June 13. He entered the store accompanied by his service dog, Copenhagen, in an effort to buy a sandwich. He was allegedly told he would not be permitted service unless he took the dog outside. Stark tried to explain that the dog was permitted by law but a store manager allegedly told him to leave.
Stark requires a service dog because he has periodic seizures and the dog is trained to help him.
Under the terms of the agreement, WaWa must pay Stark $12,500 to settle the complaint and agreed to post signs in its New Jersey stores advising that service dogs are welcome. Additionally, the company agreed to train its New Jersey company employees in connection to laws regarding service animals and the company policy to welcome them.
WaWa makes no admission of wrongdoing as part of the settlement.