It was something short of a hero’s welcome that greeted disabled Iraqi war vet Sgt. Charles Hernandez when he entered a Times Square McDonald's last January. The sergeant, who is a 9/11 survivor, was not alone. He was with his wife and his three children. Also present was his constant companion, his service dog Valor.
It was Valor’s presence that the manager found objectionable. But the way in which he reacted was equally objectionable, telling the man—in front of his young children—to "get that f---ing dog out of here or I'll call the cops and have you arrested."
The family had stopped in for ice cream before attending a Broadway show. The wife and children were accustomed to having Valor tag along. It has been an everyday occurrence Hernandez was diagnosed with post-traumatic stress syndrome. Valor, who is a registered service dog, accompanies the sergeant everywhere he goes.
Granted, there was no way the manager could know any of this, but isn’t discretion the better part of, er... Valor? Maybe in the future the manager will ask—or at least behave in a less bellicose manner—when a customer attempts to enter his inner sanctum with a leash in hand.
Hernandez , who claims that getting screamed and cursed at, then being so unceremoniously tossed from the restaurant, has reawakened his post-traumatic stress. He is seeking $4 million in damages.
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