A disabled supermarket shopper was banned from every Asda store in the UK after entering a row with staff about her service dog.
Elanor Maxey, 32, was in the crisp aisle in Asda when she was approached by a security guard falsely claiming that she needed identification for her service dog, a schnauzer named Genie’s Dream.
Maxey, who uses a mobility scooter and travels everywhere with her canine helper, had entered Asda to pick up supplies before suffering abuse that she claimed resulted in her having a panic attack.
Speaking in the voice of her dog Genie, she wrote: “I am disgusted in this day and age Asda have not trained their staff properly to know the law surrounding working girls and boys like me and how vital we are in supporting our humans.”
The security guard in question
Elanor Maxey TikTok
The incident began with a security guard informing Maxey that she couldn’t have her dog in the store in Bexley Heath, London.
Although Maxey attempted to explain Genie was a service dog, the security staff member continued to interrupt her.
After being told she didn’t need to interrupt, the security guard cocked her head and responded “Don’t I?”.
Refusing to identify herself by anything other than “chief of security”, the bully proceeded to try and snatch Elanor’s phone off her, repeating: “Would you like it if I filmed you?”
Elanor's Assistance Dog Genie's Dream
Elanor Maxey Facebook
Despite the harrowing ordeal, Elanor’s story didn’t end there, as she was subsequently banned from entering any Asda store in the UK by the store management under the premise of refusing to show an ID for the dog, “being rude to the security staff” and “violating the privacy of colleagues by filming”.
Following Elanor’s brave decision to share her footage on social media, where she has gained thousands of followers, Asda decided to backtrack on the ban.
A spokesman for the supermarket said: “We have apologised to Ms Maxey for her experience at our Bexleyheath store.
“This falls short of the welcoming culture we strive for at Asda.
LATEST DEVELOPMENTS:
@ellsthefair PART 1. Today Genie and I have now been officially banned from every @Asda in Britain simply because my didn't present her "Service ID" (something that doesn't exist). I also was asked for my dog licence... something that hasn't ever existed within my lifetime! They also claim I was rude (it's all recorded) and breached the Data Protection Act by recording staff. I was in more of a state as i already was dizzy which is why i was popping in just for a sandwich. because of this I am just so thankful there were some brave people who tried to advocate for me and while the store ignored them it's wonderful to know there are kind people who will speak up when they see human rights being violated. I later spoke to police who have told me to file a report as it is discrimination to ban someone for not presenting ID if they have an Assistance Dog. They also cannot ban someone for being "rude" and it is entirely legal to record in any space where a member of public has a right of access. She also had no right to grab at me and my phone. If you have any questions feel free to ask and i will help where i can. This is the most recent guide which outlines the rights Assistance Dogs have within the UK. https://www.equalityhumanrights.com/guidance/assistance-dogs-guide-businesses-and-service-providersPART 1. Today Genie and I have now been officially banned from every Asda in Britain simply because my didn't present her "Service ID" (something that doesn't exist). I also was asked for my dog licence... something that hasn't ever existed within my lifetime! They also claim I was rude (it's all recorded) and breached the Data Protection Act by recording staff. I was in more of a state as i already was dizzy which is why i was popping in just for a sandwich so I am just so thankful there were some brave people who tried to advocate for me and while the store ignored them it's wonderful to know there are kind people who will speak up when they see human rights being violated. I later spoke to police who have told me to file a report as it is discrimination to ban someone for not presenting ID if they have an Assistance Dog. They also cannot ban someone for being "rude" and it is entirely legal to record in any space where a member of public has a right of access. She also had no right to grab at me and my phone. If you have any questions feel free to ask and i will help where i can. This is the most recent guide which outlines the rights Assistance Dogs have within the UK. https://www.equalityhumanrights.com/guidance/assistance-dogs-guide-businesses-and-service-providers #disability #disabledcommunity #disabilityawareness #equalityforall #equalityact #humanrights #discrimination #disabilityadvocate #security #securityguard #asda #asdawareness #asdageorge #assistancedog #assistancedogsoftiktok #workingdog #wheelchair #servicedog #mobilitydog #alertdog#disability #disabledcommunity #disabilityawareness #equalityforall #equalityact #humanrights #discrimination #disabilityadvocate #security #securityguard #asda #asdawareness #asdageorge #assistancedog #assistancedogsoftiktok #workingdog #wheelchair #servicedog #mobilitydog #alertdog ♬ original sound - Ellsthefair
The Notice banning Elanor from all ASDA Stores
Elanor Maxey Facebook
“We are clear that assistance dogs are welcome in all of our stores and we will be reminding our colleagues of this policy as a matter of urgency.”
Following the incident, Maxey was advised by the police that she could file a report for discrimination, it being unlawful to ban someone on account of not showing ID for their assistance dog.
Service dogs assist people with a range of physical and mental disabilities from blindness to post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
