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‘Really Ignorant’: NJ Wawa Allegedly Calls Police on Military Vet Over Service Dog

Jun. 27, 2012 2:31pm Erica Ritz

Military Vet Not Allowed to Bring Service Dog into New Jersey Wawas

The incident allegedly took place at a New Jersey Wawa

A New Jersey military veteran says he goes everywhere with his medical dog, Copenhagen.

“At this point, I have so much confidence in him. I would find it impossible to get along without him,” thirty-three-year old Patrick Stark, who received an honorable discharge in 2000, explained.

He has suffered seizures for the last three years after sustaining a brain injury during a Seattle, Washington mugging, and says the dog has saved his life multiple times by alerting him that the seizures were coming and enabling him to avoid them.

But two weeks ago, Stark visited a local Wawa in New Jersey, where he moved a few months ago, and said the employees started questioning him about the dog, eventually even calling the police on him.

“Rarely do I get emotional at all, but this was a really sad experience for me,” Stark said outside his Vine Street home in Millville Tuesday.

“They were saying there’s nothing wrong with you…Get out of our store…He’s not a seeing eye dog…Really ignorant things,” he continued.

Watch CBS’ interview with Stark, below:

Stark says he was embarrassed by the whole matter, but offered to show the shift manager a service dog identification tag that Copenhagen always wears, and even medical papers regarding his seizures. Still, he says, the manager asked him to leave and the police were called.

Wawa’s has released an apology to Mr. Stark, explaining: “…qualified service dogs are permitted in all Wawa stores. Because we are a food establishment we have to comply with strict Board of Health regulations which do not permit pets in our stores, but of course qualified service animals are permitted and welcome.”

Stark, however, remains less than satisfied, and is reportedly considering legal action.

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Comments (80)

grayling646
Posted on June 27, 2012 at 4:34pm
OK, here’s what happened. A female employee sees this guy with a dog in the store and says, “Who the hell does he think he is? Bringing a dog into this store.” Another female employee hears this and repeats it. Then another and another and another until all the female employees are pissed. The male manager, who wants to get into the pants of one or more of these female employees, sees an opportunity and breaks bad on this poor fellow and his dog. I hope the manager has to take A COLD FREAKING SHOWER!!!

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- 3monkeysmomma
  Posted on June 28, 2012 at 12:01am
  They were probably frustrated because they couldn’t find a nursing mother to harrass.
  
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- do_it_all_again
  Posted on June 28, 2012 at 5:01pm
  It is a terrible thing that our Veterans, who have been through so much already, have to put up with being treated with such disrespect.
  They have sacrificed so much for us, some the ultimate sacrifice,, and then come home and are treated like dirt,,, it makes me sick
  
  Report this comment
MeOnTheBeach
Posted on June 27, 2012 at 4:08pm
Ok, they didn’t know it was a service dog. They do now. They appologized, invited you back. Stop looking for a reason to be a offended and suing everyone. Stop crying, everything’s fine. You have your dog. If that’s not enough then don’t shop their any more.

But looking for free money because, oh noes you got offended. Lame-O… grow a spine.

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- HorseCrazy
  Posted on June 27, 2012 at 4:31pm
  totally disagree. this poor guy had his life ruined in my state by muggers. serious beat down and the current attitude of folks not caring about eachother being disrespectful and rude doesn’t help those who have fought for our country or anyone else for that matter. in the end times the love of many will grow cold as the Bible says. It takes a couple of seconds to approach this guy and ask instead of calling the police, it is common courtesy of which there is none anymore.
  
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- waytogo2j
  Posted on June 27, 2012 at 5:08pm
  You are a real jerk. You probably never was in the military, so you have no idea what you are talkling about, you probably are one of the punks who would beat up someone.
  
  Report this comment
- F_This
  Posted on June 27, 2012 at 5:23pm
  Totally correct. Everything is always about suing someone and getting that easy money that our stupid judges in America keep handing out. Want a better economy? Stop letting lawsuits that are totally stupid take place.
  
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- phoenix9
  Posted on June 27, 2012 at 7:08pm
  @MeOnTheBeach Go to hell
  
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- ALL4FREEDOM
  Posted on June 27, 2012 at 7:09pm
  Go back and re-read the story. He offered to show the dog tags and medical papers, but the manager refused and STILL called the cops. Clearly beyond the pale. Just more regimented stupidity.
  
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- ENIGMA28724
  Posted on June 27, 2012 at 7:46pm
  Maybe you should have a service connected brain injury so you would understand this situation better. They were being jerks to the guy despite his attempts to explain his dog was a service animal. Shame on them.
  
  Report this comment
- jnw325
  Posted on June 27, 2012 at 10:20pm
  Hey you on the beach…… get bent…… if the shoe was on the other foot you would do the same…… and dont try and be so pious and say you are above that.. you know you are not.
  
  Report this comment
- g0rthaur
  Posted on June 28, 2012 at 8:36pm
  Fortunately, our legal system can handle this. I work for a plaintiff’s firm, and this man’s suit, if there is one, will fail for one reason: NO damages. Even if he “won” his suit, he’d be awarded $0. At least in my state.
  
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Ozonekiller
Posted on June 27, 2012 at 3:57pm
If the service dog had it’s vest on stating it IS A SERVICE DOG! than this employee should get curbed just for being stupid. Wa Wa has been around since the mid seventies as far as I can remember. I think they started in PA and now have consumed many of the gas stations and mini marts in NJ. They are a huge operation and are very clean and efficient. They are basically the Super Wal Mart of the convenience store chains…I just paid $3.15 for regular gas there yesterday.

I am now curious if the one by me has a “Service Dogs Welcome” sign in the window since they do also prepare food on site. I agree with another poster..Humans are much more dirty.

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- KathleenElsie
  Posted on June 27, 2012 at 6:52pm
  I also use a certified service dog. The law does not require them to wear a vest. The dogs are all “FULL ACCESS REQUIRED” as written in Federal law. Sadly many people don’t understand that these dogs provide many more services then just helping the blind.
  I always have a vest on my dog and even then have had trouble with some people going to management. I always offer a card to people that question Miss Emma’s being in a store. I also let the manager’s of restaurants know about her and offer to let them see her ID with her picture. No as I said I do not have to provide this information. This just makes life easier for me and my dog.
  
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Blazebanned
Posted on June 27, 2012 at 3:55pm
Is wawa and target owned by the same company?…..

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DarthMims
Posted on June 27, 2012 at 3:53pm
You would think Mr. Stark would just have called his cousin Tony to take care of it.

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BoyScout_Mom
Posted on June 27, 2012 at 3:48pm
He moved to New Jersey?…..

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- powedj
  Posted on June 27, 2012 at 4:03pm
  He originally came from Washington State where he was mugged in Seattle that is causing the seizures Not much better than New Jersey.
  
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- HorseCrazy
  Posted on June 27, 2012 at 4:32pm
  I remember when this poor guy got mugged it was absolutely brutal and beyond disgraceful. Poor guy I hope he finds peace
  
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- Barry Da Fraud
  Posted on June 28, 2012 at 6:54am
  If he moved to New Jersey he certainly does have a neurological condition, possibly severe brain damage.
  
  Report this comment
izukiddin
Posted on June 27, 2012 at 3:31pm
Sounds like a violation of the ADA, and a big law suit to me. Bye Bye WaWa.

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- Bluebonnet
  Posted on June 27, 2012 at 6:49pm
  The second time, bad news from WaWa. Never heard of it before
  
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yougottabekidding
Posted on June 27, 2012 at 3:30pm
I do believe this is covered under the Americans with Disablities Act and he probably has a very legitimate law suit the same as if the light switch is a half inch too high

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Maxim Crux
Posted on June 27, 2012 at 3:28pm
Next time he should take the dog in to take a wee wee in the wa wa

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- bigdaddyt46
  Posted on June 28, 2012 at 2:18pm
  ba dump dump ching
  
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USACommoner
Posted on June 27, 2012 at 3:20pm
Is it just me, or are you guys also disappointed because they didn’t show a picture of the dog…? I mean, c’mon! We get pics of Pelosi and Whatsherface-Schultz, Hilary wearing stupid glasses…show us the dog!

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- yougottabekidding
  Posted on June 27, 2012 at 3:24pm
  What?
  
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- blackyb
  Posted on June 27, 2012 at 3:48pm
  When you saw Pelosi’s pic, they thought they showed the dog.
  
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AlansTigg
Posted on June 27, 2012 at 3:03pm
ya know I’ve never understood if the dogs are banned for health reasons, what makes a service dog different? Don’t get me wrong I love dogs and think they should be allowed a lot more places than they are, most are better behaved than many of the children I see….just don’t get how health issues vary because of the dogs training

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- LB
  Posted on June 27, 2012 at 3:12pm
  Some people pose more of a hygiene threat than a dog and they are allowed in.
  
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- PASSIONFORCHRIST
  Posted on June 27, 2012 at 3:18pm
  Hey STUPID! GO WATCH FOOD INC.! THEN ASK IF THE DOG IS A HEALTH RISK!!!!!!!!! WHAT WE EAT AND WHERE WE GET IT FROM IS A HEALTH RISK!!!!!!!!!! GROW YOUR OWN EVERYTHING! BELIEVE ME YOU’LL SURVIVE AND BE HEALTHIER!!!!!!!!!!!!!
  
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- sasquatch08
  Posted on June 27, 2012 at 3:19pm
  They get an exemption because they are “medically necessary”.
  
  Just like your average person can’t purchase or possess hypodermic needles (drug paraphernalia) unless they have an Rx from a doctor because they’re a diabetic or have another issue that requires routine injections.
  
  Report this comment
- yougottabekidding
  Posted on June 27, 2012 at 3:21pm
  Question is what happened when the cops got there? Was it Dearborn?
  
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- Baddoggy
  Posted on June 27, 2012 at 3:27pm
  Dont bother Passionforchrist, he is busy sitting in the corner licking his…..He is very Teste….
  
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- FatManChew
  Posted on June 27, 2012 at 3:30pm
  Have you seen some of the humans who walk into the stores? I’m pretty sure I’ll get flees from Walmart shoppers than some pets.
  
  Report this comment
CougarNick78
Posted on June 27, 2012 at 3:01pm
Guys, if you think THAT’S BAD. Try a few instances, where some of the employees are Muzzes, and not only do they hate dogs, they kick people out of the store, and in fact, single out former or current servicemen or women….. Where’s the ‘Falling Down’ guy when you really need him?

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lynda1276
Posted on June 27, 2012 at 2:59pm
once again…repeat after me..”you can’t fix stupid”

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lobo2525
Posted on June 27, 2012 at 2:58pm
A service dog with a service vest hs to be allowed in. It is like a wheel chair for a person.

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SREGN
Posted on June 27, 2012 at 2:55pm
No Hoagyfest for you!

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commonsenseguy
Posted on June 27, 2012 at 2:49pm
union taught, uneducated,anti american,pro communist, disrespectful,ungrateful turds, all of them should be fired. i hope the people of new jersey will stop using this store,but then again, most of the people in new jersey love people like this so it will never happen. i hope that Mr.Stark will find a store and people near him who can show some commonsense and respect.

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shagstar
Posted on June 27, 2012 at 2:48pm
with a name like ” wawa “,, what would you expect?

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- txannie
  Posted on June 27, 2012 at 3:02pm
  So true….
  
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lukerw
Posted on June 27, 2012 at 2:46pm
A Blue State problem…

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Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}
Posted on June 27, 2012 at 2:43pm
One more move against the vets by leftists in the nation.

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rickc34
Posted on June 27, 2012 at 2:43pm
New Jersey one of those places like san francisco that if it broke off and sank to the bottom of the ocean nobody would really miss it or the people living there.

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- Girard1974
  Posted on June 27, 2012 at 10:17pm
  Actually, there’s a big difference between north and south Jersey. The north is mostly urban (not all, but mostly) and indicative of what we’ve been treated to through TV shows like Jersey Shore and the Sopranos. This incident happened in Millville, in the southern part of the state. Except for Camden (a real blight on the planet), South Jersey is mostly farmland, small towns with a lot of character and some very nice shore towns (Cape May, Avalon, Stone Harbor). It’s amazing when leaving South Philly over the Walt Whitman Bridge going into Jersey what a difference one sees, smells and senses. I lived in a little borough called Pitman when I was very young. I’ve been back several times and not much has changed.
  
  So it’s really the northern part of the state that wouldn’t be missed.
  
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shagstar
Posted on June 27, 2012 at 2:42pm
with a name lie,,”wawa”, what else would you expect?

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Slowman101
Posted on June 27, 2012 at 2:41pm
I guess it goes to prove that even the stupid and ignorant people can get a job. I’ve never been to a Wawa, and after seeing this, if I ever see one I will make it a point to avoid it.

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SoCaLCapitalist
Posted on June 27, 2012 at 2:38pm
what is a WAWA? never even heard of it. Nevermind, they will probably be out of business soon.

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- maynardb61
  Posted on June 27, 2012 at 2:52pm
  Personally the most fun and clean place for a roadside stop is Buckey’s in Texas.
  
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Obobitsu
Posted on June 27, 2012 at 2:36pm
Hey, have you ever heard of this…you ever been to a Wawas, this place is great, you serve your country, come home, then get yelled at by stupid employees, it Amazing!. yes I stole that from Andea Mitchell…howd you guess…

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- drbage
  Posted on June 27, 2012 at 2:41pm
  The employees probably were taught their stupidity by the unionista teachers in New Jersey.
  
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maynardb61
Posted on June 27, 2012 at 2:34pm
Yankees!

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- randy
  Posted on June 27, 2012 at 2:39pm
  Not all Yankees!
  
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- thenizzutz
  Posted on June 27, 2012 at 2:47pm
  Nothing wrong with being a Yankee…. however, there is something wrong with being a D Bag, which those employees clearly are
  
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