Dogs for deaf being shut out of city shops

Published on Friday 8 May 2009 10:09

THEY are as skilled as their guide dog counterparts as they act as ears for their deaf owners.

But while cases of guide dogs being refused entry to the city's shops and restaurants are rare, it seems lesser-known hearing dogs do not have it so easy.

Charities who are highlighting the issue as part of Deaf Awareness Week say cases of dogs and owners being shut out in Edinburgh is an all too common occurrence, despite the fact they have the same legal rights.

The problem, they say, is a lack of awareness as well as the fact that, unlike guide dogs, hearing dogs can be practically any breed so are not instantly recognisable.

Gorgie woman Sue Loumgair, 46, is one of the hearing dog owners to run up against problems.

She was paired up with hearing dog Gerry in January. He is trained to alert his owner to sounds other people take for granted, such as a doorbell, telephone, or alarm clock, as well as smoke alarms and sirens.

But in three months she has been refused access to three premises with Gerry, including her local pub where the landlord's pet dog reacts badly to other animals.

In the most recent incident, Miss Loumgair was told at the weekend that Margiotta in Ashley Terrace operated a strict "no dogs" policy and she would have to take her hearing dog outside.

Miss Loumgair said: "When I told him that I wasn't able to do that he simply said 'that's not my problem'.

"I just put my basket in the middle of the floor and walked out, I was so outraged."

Shop manager, Mark Ross, described the incident as a "misunderstanding" and that he would speak to the staff member involved.

But Miss Loumgair said the confrontation had left her shaken and she wanted to highlight the discrimination.

She continued: "Gerry has to be with me 24 hours a day – that's what he's trained to do.

"Hearing Dogs for the Deaf don't spend 3500 to train a dog for him not to be allowed to do his job."

And Miss Loumgair is not alone in facing difficulties even picking up groceries because of a lack of awareness of hearing dogs.

Nancy Noble, 61, from Wester Hailes, said she is often stopped by security staff in shops and supermarkets with her King Charles spaniel/papillion crossbreed, Figgie.

Ms Noble, who has been profoundly deaf since childhood, said: "They don't realise what a hearing dog does. Things like the telephone ringing or a smoke alarm, the dog tells me. Once I explain that, they begin to understand."

There are 14 hearing dogs working in the Lothians, including six in Edinburgh.

A spokeswoman for Hearing Dogs for Deaf People said the Disability Discrimination Act made provision for hearing dogs to be allowed access to public places such as shops.

She said: "Hearing dogs are registered and have the same access rights as guide dogs.

"Deafness is an invisible disability and the problem is pure ignorance. Our dogs are varying breeds, unlike guide dogs for the blind, so people might not instantly recognise them as assistance dogs. That is why they wear a coat."