Chicago Restaurant Apologizes After Vet Told to Leave Because of Service Dog

A Chicago restaurant has apologized after a military veteran was asked to leave the eatery because of his service dog.

Maj. Diggs Brown, a veteran of the Army Special Forces, said he and his service dog Arthur Barker Black were denied service at Cochon Volant in the city’s Loop, where they went for breakfast Saturday.

Brown wrote in a Facebook post that the pair was seated and had placed an order before a restaurant manager “came over and told us we could not dine at the restaurant.”

The post said Brown explained to the manager that the dog was a service animal and he is allowed to bring him into public places under the Americans with Disabilities Act but the woman allegedly told him “I don’t care.”

Brown, who is from Colorado, left the restaurant along with Arthur Barker Black and instead of eating the salmon eggs Benedict he ordered, he ate a microwaved hot dog and Pepsi at O’Hare International Airport, he told the Chicago Tribune.

The restaurant issued an apology Sunday saying it will conduct an “internal review of protocol, training of staff and ADA regulations to ensure this will never happen again.”

“We at Cochon Volant sincerely apologize for the unfortunate situation that occurred yesterday morning at our establishment,” the restaurant posted on Facebook. “We admit with much regret that this situation was handled inappropriately and apologize for the disrespect it has caused.”

The restaurant also plans to make donations to Puppies Behind Bars and Colorado Disabled Veterans, “which we know are organizations closed to Maj. Diggs Brown.”

“The willingness of America's Veterans to sacrifice for our country has earned them our lasting respect and gratitude. We take full responsibility for yesterday's events and sincerely apologize,” the post read.

Brown told the Tribune he has “no animosity toward the restaurant” and said that a lot of people “are not aware of the ADA laws and how they pertain to service dogs or service animals.”

In a similar situation during Memorial Day weekend, a veteran was denied a table at a suburban Houlihan’s restaurant after the restaurant’s manager would not allow his service dog inside. The manager was reportedly fired and the national restaurant chain issued an apology to the vet and his family.

Brown said the restaurant’s general manager, Josh Schatan, also sent an apology letter saying the “employee(s) involved will be dealt with swiftly” and the restaurant will hold additional training with its entire staff. 

Brown said the Hyatt Centric hotel where he stayed during his visit to Chicago, which was attached to the restaurant, “was excellent,” giving his dog a bed, bowl and treats. He also said his dog was welcomed at Lou Malnati’s and Wrigley Field, where they attended a Zac Brown Band concert. 

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