Joanne Hewitson, 31, who is blind, was left feeling "livid" and "shaking" after staff at a Wetherspoons pub in Hartlepool demanded identification for her guide dog, Rosie. The incident occurred last month when Hewitson visited the Ward Jackson pub for breakfast with her partner, Craig. It was her first outing since fracturing her back in January.
Staff demanded ID for guide dog
Hewitson said she was using new Meta glasses to read the menu while Rosie, who has been with her for about five years, lay under the table wearing a harness with the nationally recognised logo. A staff member approached and said: "ID card for your dog." Hewitson replied that she had never been asked before and did not have it with her. The staff member insisted it was policy and that she could not stay without identification.
Hewitson explained that by law she is not required to provide documentation, but the employee kept demanding the card. Feeling unwelcome, Hewitson, her partner, and Rosie left the pub. "I felt like I was at a disadvantage compared to any able-bodied customer who can just walk in and order their food with no problems," she said. "She wasn't listening to me, she just kept reiterating the policy."
Emotional impact and social media response
Hewitson described Rosie as an extension of herself: "When I see her, she is my eyes. We come as a package deal, she is like an extension of me. I can't leave my house without her." She posted about her experience on social media and reported it to Guide Dogs UK. Many other assistance dog owners commented on her video, sharing similar experiences.
Wetherspoons apologises
A Wetherspoons spokesperson, Eddie Gershon, said: "We apologise wholeheartedly to the customer that this situation arose. Guide dogs are welcome into our pubs, without the need for documentation. On this occasion we made an error." He added that the pub's area manager is meeting with Hewitson to apologise face to face.
