[nagdu] deaf-blind man asalted Ohio

[Steven Johnson]

April 02, 2012 3:40 PM

http://www2.nbc4i.com/news/2012/apr/02/visual-and-hearing-impaired-man-his-s
ervice-dog-ph-ar-986574/

COLUMBUS, Ohio --
A man with visual and hearing impairments allegedly was threatened and
assaulted
in a local gas station last May.
Christopher Cooley and his service dog, Sam, were riding in Cooley's
sister's vehicle
when they stopped at the Valero gas station, at 2727 S. High St., for gas
and coffee.
Cooley said he and Sam went inside and the store owner, Demir Tahiraj, told
Cooley
to leave because pets are not allowed in the store.
Cooley said he tried to explain to the owner that Sam is a guide dog, not a
pet.
A lawsuit filed in the United States District Court states Tahiraj screamed
and threatened
Cooley and insisted he leave the store. Cooley showed the clerk his service
identification
card and proceeded to get coffee.
The court records state Tahiraj came after him, raised his fist as if to
strike Cooley
but instead grabbed him by the collar after Cooley's sister intervened.
Tahiraj called
the police, and Cooley dialed 911, according to the lawsuit.
Cooley said he went back to the station to try and educate the owner on ADA
and service
dogs.
"He threw the paperwork back in my face," Cooley said.
The lawsuit was filed against Valeron Energy Corporation, Valero Marketing
and Supply
Company, JATT Bros. LLC, Pap Oil Company and DT Stores LLC, Demir Tahiraj
and two
other John Doe employees, all associated with the Valero station.
The suit complaint lists seven counts, including a violation of Title III of
the
Americans with Disabilities Act.
The U.S. District court ruled in March 2012 that the ADA permits Vicarious
Liability
-- in essence big corporations that previously had little to do with
discrimination
can now be held liable.
The other counts still pending are for battery and assault, violation of the
Ohio
Revised Code, intentional infliction of emotional distress, and negligent
hiring,
retention and/or supervision.
NBC4 will have the complete story tonight on NBC4 at 5:30.
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