Dogsey

A blind man is upset because he has been asked not to take his guide dog into the Sunderland shopping centre he visits regularly. Three-year-old Shane repeatedly relieves himself when he enters the The Bridges centre and the Guide Dogs Association has requested that he is kept away until he receives further training.

Reg Pallas, 71, said he feels discriminated against and victimised because of the impact the decision will have on his life. He said he struggles to get around with his cane alone and if he were to shop elsewhere with Shane, the layouts would not be familiar to him.

Mr Pallas said he tried changing Shane's diet and encouraging him to relieve himself before entering the centre but Shane would sometimes do nothing until he entered the shopping centre. “When it has to go [a dog], it has to go and there's nothing you can do,” he said, pointing out that he always cleans up after Shane.

A spokeswoman for the Guide Dogs Association explained that Shane was finding the shopping centre to be a “demanding environment” and that they took the decision in order to work with Shane and Mr Pallas and help deal with the issue. She said the measure was a temporary one and was intended to safeguard the welfare of dog and owner.

The centre director at The Bridges, Andy Bradley, said the management team has met with the Guide Dogs Association and were aware of the training issue with Shane. He gave an assurance that Mr Pallas was welcome, and said they would assist him wherever they can.