A registered childminder from Andover claims she was 'manhandled' out of a charity shop because she wanted her assistance dog with her.   

Sarah Abbott, 51, from Watermills Close was hoping to donate a prom dress to the charity, Andover Community Engage (ACE) in Bridge Street, but said staff at the shop barred her from going in with her dog, Buttons.

Ms Abbott claims she was pushed out of the building, leaving her confused and upset: “I was physically removed from the shop, a woman grabbed me, I just couldn’t believe it and was shaking.”

The Equality Act 2010 protects the rights of assistance dog owners in the UK. Under the Act, it is illegal for service providers to discriminate against people with disabilities, including those who use assistance dogs.

But staff at the shop said the dog was not properly trained. Maria Tierney said: “We allow assistance dogs and guide dogs, but they have huge levels of training, this dog was jumping up and the woman was taking up space in a crowded shop.”

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Ms Tiernay added: “We asked the woman to leave, it’s incorrect to say she was assaulted, we turned her to face the door and told her ‘You need to leave’. We allow people to access the services and said we could shop for her, but she was yelling at us.”

Ms Abbott said she had reported the incident to the police: “I need to raise awareness for assistance dogs and their owners; behaviour like this can't go on.”

Hampshire Police said: “We are investigating after it was reported that a woman was assaulted at ACES charity shop, Bridge Street, Andover on October 25.”