Woman Charged For Allegedly Asking Service Dog to Leave Restaurant

The Kent County Sheriff's Department announced Friday afternoon that a former employee of Don Julio's restaurant was charged for a late 2011 incident in which a veteran's service dog was allegedly asked to leave the restaurant.

November 7 FOX 17 reported about a Desert Storm veteran who was furious after his service dog was asked to leave the Grand Rapids restaurant. Frank Eckl was badly hurt serving in the Air Force in Desert Storm and suffers from seizures and other disabilities. His service dog, Spruce, is a major part of his life. Spruce helps Frank get up from falls, pick up dropped items, and call for help if he needs it.

The restaurant said it had customers complaining about the dog in the dining area with three of them eventually leaving because of it.

Employees then asked Eckl if the dog could wait in the lobby, away from the general food area. Don Julio's told FOX 17 the restaurant never asked Eckl and his family to leave, just the dog.

The name of the 21-year-old woman arrested is not being released pending her arraignment. Her exact role in the incident has not been revealed at this time. She is being charged with refusing accomodations to persons with disabilities, which is a misdemeanor carrying a 90-day sentence.

The restaurant closed down about a month after the incident occurred.