Police are still investigating claims of assault after a woman and her assistance dog were ejected from an Andover charity shop.

Registered childminder Sarah Abbott was in charity shop Andover Community Engage (ACE) in Bridge Street with her dog Buttons on October 25 when the incident happened. 

Ms Abbott said she was pushed out of the building and has reported the charity to the police. 

She said:  “I was physically removed from the shop, a woman grabbed me, I just couldn’t believe it.”

READ MORE: Andover charity in row over woman with assistance dog

However, staff at the shop said they asked her to leave as her dog was jumping up and they dispute the fact that any assault took place. 

Ms Abbott told her story to the Advertiser last week as she wanted to spread awareness - and the story has sparked fierce debate over whether dogs should be allowed in shops and about how assistance dogs are defined. 

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.

Many people have also spoken out in support of the charity and its work in Andover, with comments online and on social media. 

One said: "The staff there are known to actively encourage many members of our community with disabilities to access their service. This shop is a valuable resource for many groups in Andover such as Dementia care, Parkinson's Disease, Andover Pantry, NCT and many more much-needed community services." 

The charity denies any wrongdoing and says they asked Ms Abbott and her dog to leave because of its behaviour. 

A spokesperson from Hampshire Police said the case remains under investigation.