This store violated the Civil laws of the Americans with Disabilities Act last night with my…read moredaughter and her service dog. We live in Smithton and have for years. A lot of people in town know us, and know my daughters Type 1 Diabetic Alert Dog, Ida. Ida, is a yellow lab that alerts us when her glucose is dropping too low. Thus by doing so, she has saved her life several times. She is licensed, trained and obviously more intelligent than the individuals who are employed at the store. Many people in this town including on the board of the chamber of commerce helped us fundraise for Ida as the cost was $16,000.00. Before I explain what happened, I want to advise first what the ADA LAW says regarding what may be asked about this dog, whom is very much a SERVICE dog and not a PET. The law says, "When it is not obvious what service an animal provides, only limited inquiries are allowed. Staff may ask two questions: 1) is the dog a service animal required because of a disability, and 2) what work or task has the animal been trained to perform. STAFF CANNOT ASK ABOUT THE PERSON'S DISABILITY, REQUIRE MEDICAL DOCUMENTATION, REQUIRE A SPECIAL IDENTIFICATION CARD OR TRAINING DOCUMENTATION FOR THE DOG, OR ASK THAT THE DOG DEMONSTRATE ITS ABILITY TO PERFORM THE WORK OR TASK." Upon entering the store, my child who is of a minor age, accompanied by her adult sister was asked if Ida was a true service dog or not. She, Tammy, was answered yes and it should have been left at that. Instead, Tammy insisted that papers needed to be produced to determine if Ida was in fact a true service dog. My daughters advised her that this is in fact not the case and the law supports it. Tammy then continued to walk down the aisles and staring at the animal and added that, "we have to have papers because people just put vests on their pets and bring them in here to try to steal things." As they then proceeded to check out, Lauren, at the cash register told them that had their manager, Kelly, been there, that the dog wouldn't have even been allowed in the store, and that they will have to bring papers the next time that they come in. My daughters returned home upset. When I called to confront Tammy and Lauren, every excuse was made to place blame on Kelly, the manager who wasn't there because apparently she is the one who advised them of this. It is completely against the law. Let's also not forget that following my child through the store when she just wanted to get ice cream telling her that people do the same just to steal is furthermore harassment, and of a child at that. They have been reported to the Corporate headquarters in TN, where I was reassured today that what happened was definitely not only against the ADA laws, but also against the Dollar General companies policies of not following a federal civil law as well as harassment. They have also been reported to the ADA, which is an agency of the US Department of Justice, Civil Rights Division. I have yet to decide if we will seek out additional legal advisement as this kind of behavior cannot be allowed. If a large name store doesn't follow the federal rules, then how can anyone else be expected to? I ask that you not use this establishment as this is the treatment that they give a customer with a true medical condition and then further harass them. I am disgusted and will promise to NEVER set foot in there again, nor will I suggest that anyone patronize them.

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