Posted on 06/26/2014 9:01:26 AM PDT by Marie
It is a shameful act of discrimination for a business to turn away someone who returned home after being at war with battle scars that cannot be visibly seen. But, that’s precisely what happened to one veteran while vacationing in Florida. Not only is it an act of discrimination, but also what this hotel, and many others, did to this veteran is against the law. (Watch Video at the link)
Former Army Sgt. Robert Price simply wanted to find a place to sleep while he was on vacation in Daytona Beach, FL. He was not alone. He had with him his trusty companion and service dog, Walker. After serving in the Middle East and facing bomb attacks for years, Price developed post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Walker’s job is to assist him when in need. He is an official service dog with the proper identifying vest and paperwork. But, that didn’t matter to the desk clerk, Bina Patel, at the Budget Inn. She told Price that his dog was not allowed, and said she would call the police on him for having a dog on the premises when he wouldn’t leave.
As you can see in that video, the clerk was quite rude and cold with how she treated this veteran. But, it was even worse than what this video shows. The clerk did call the police on Price, accusing him of being an American criminal for having a dog on the property. After police arrived, Price explained the situation to them. They attempted to educate Patel on the law and the fact that she cannot turn him away. She still refused to rent Sgt. Price a room.
Going above and beyond the call of duty, one of the police officers escorted Sgt. Price to numerous hotels in an attempt to help him get a room. Curiously, every single one said they were completely booked until they got to LaQuinta Inn, which welcomed Sgt. Price and his dog Walker with open arms.
WFTV has a full interview with Sgt. Price during which he recounts what happened and says, surprisingly, this is not the first time he has had the experience of being turned away because of his service dog, Walker. However, it is the first time he was called a criminal and had the police called simply because of the presence of his service dog Walker. Patel is facing a possible misdemeanor charge, which could include a fine and jail time, for breaking the Florida law by refusing service and turning away a disabled individual and their service dog.
(watch full interview at the link)
There is a gentleman at my church that has a service dog like this. I don’t talk to him that much, but he has said it is a common thing to run into resistance over the dog.
The attitude is from many establishments “That isn’t a seeing eye dog, and so you don’t need it”. Sadly, there have been cases of fraud were people claim it is a service dog when they are not.
We need to pursue legal action to stop this.
“She comes to our country, breaks our laws, continues to disrespect our laws...”
Just watch how Indians/Paki’s behave at a place like Costco. They are every bit as much human trash as the Camel Jockeys. The try to cut into the check out line, and they try to bully their way in front of you while you are shopping. I never let them get away with their behavior. I call them out in a very loud voice so all around know they are misbehaving. How did we ever let this human crap into our country?
Patel is the most common surname in India. It is basically the Indian equivalent of Smith.
Take the vest off and Bailey becomes a pesky, slobbering Frisbee chasing monster. The behavior modification of the vest of a true service dog is a wonder.
And the law is very clear about this. This guy had the paperwork. It doesn’t matter if people think that it’s BS or that invisible injuries don’t deserve it.
It’s like public breastfeeding. In many states, there’s not a darn thing you can do or say about it, whether you like it or not. It’s still the law.
La Quinta has become my first choice when travelling.
Like all franchises, quality will vary a lot from city to city, but the company’s national policy is very supportive of U.S. military so I am supportive of them.
And, ironically enough, iirc, it translates to "innkeeper"...
the infowarrior
Do we know the exact place so we can write them?
There are 3 in the area, do we know which one ?
Another kudo for La Quinta ... I have friends who travel a lot and they always look for a LQ in the area, and will even travel miles out of their way if necessary, just to stay there. Glad to see that so many support them for their pro-military corporate position.
The Solider showed the card.
it was a Budget Inn Daytona Beach
I LOVE La Quinta
Sounds like a great grounds for a lawsuit.
Take the damn hotel away from their sorry foreign asses.......
Open and shut case. Would be an easy win for any lawyer who feels like making a few bucks. Just sayin.
My brother’s wife was a Patel, but she goes against the grain. She likes dogs and is fairly conservative. I’ve noticed that many Indians are big fans of Obama. My SIL’s family was surprised that she got a dog, because she’s a vegetarian. The dog is the only one who is allowed to have meat in the house. LOL!
I also read that 90% of the Days Inns are owned by Indians. Patel is a very common name that implies “merchant class” people.
The company was on undercover boss and the CEO really seemed to care about his company.
I hope he learns of this and takes proper action, there is really no excuse for what happened to that veteran.
As for the woman, she’s ignorant and I would sentence her to volunteer work with PTSD dogs so she will never do that again.
Budget Inn of Daytona Beach
640 S Ridgewood Avenue, Daytona Beach, FL 32114
1 person has reviewed this hotel
“Disgusting!”
1 of 5 stars Reviewed November 2, 2011
I stayed here back in January on a family trip, I can’t believe this hotel is still in business! I heard horrible rumors back in 2002 when I lived in Florida, but I had to stay there to believe them. The bedbugs here are horrendous, almost as bad as the Desert Inn (On the NY Times list of worst hotels in the country!) around the same area! The neighborhood is horrible (Ridgewood is one of Daytona’s worst stretches) and full of prostitution, rapes and drugs - to make it even worse, my deadbolt wouldn’t latch! The rooms are cramped and will make you feel like you’re in a bad 80’s movie. I had to call and complain for my whole stay about the “Free wi-fi” that seemed to be nonexistent. For the price it was just what I paid for, a crab-infested bed. I learned my lesson and will make sure to do my homework next time.
Budget Inn - Daytona Beach
1233 North Atlantic Avenue, Daytona Beach, FL 32118
Paul
Group of friends
United States of America
April 8, 2014
This place is disgusting and unsafe at night. Homeless wander around, and although the room might have been clean, we couldn’t stay long enough to find out more. We were there 15 minutes and had to flee the area because it was so scary. We went to desk, she seemed reasonable about situation, she wasn’t shocked, seemed used to it. I’m ok with cheap! We only needed to sleep a few hours for work and go back to work. This was not vacation time, it was a place to sleep only, yet, we felt so unsafe we had to drive to Orlando to find housing at midnight since everything in town was booked up. I feel bad because it’s a nice family - but this reviewer says, don’t stay here.
Arturo
Solo traveler
United States of America
March 25, 2014
Infected of cockroachs I called front desk and she can take a cockroach from the tube and told me thats not a big deal...welcome to Florida Thats unprofesional and rude
Norman
Couple
United States of America
March 1, 2014
the room was small and dirty. there were mattresses outside our room that needed to be thrown away. the owner was rude. the room smelled.
Christian
Solo traveler
Switzerland
February 18, 2014
Shower and heater didn’t work: the Night was freezing!
The sign reads “No Pets Allowed”. It does not read “No Service Dogs Allowed” which would be against the law. This man had proper paper work to show her that his dog is a service dog and not a pet. She is discriminating.
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Budget-Inn/109587845744269?rf=115808991782202
They’re being eaten alive on FB.
Next time you are at Costco and are in line when one them attempts to break in front of you; just run your shopping cart over their foot, say “Excuse me, I am sorry” and cut right back in to your original place. It works for me in a place I won’t mention because there are so many rude people there; you have to learn defense.
Patel is a common name in India.
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