McDonalds Manager Punches Mother Over Autism Service Dog

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The mother of two autistic boys was punched in the face by a McDonalds manager in Marietta, Georgia. According to WSBTV, on July 12, Jennifer Schwenker had brought her twin boys and their service dog, Barkley, to the McDonalds. A surveillance tape shows one of the boys and Barkley playing in the McDonalds playplace area. It was only as the family was on the verge of leaving that Tiffany Denise Allen, the manager who was off-duty at the time, told Schwenker that the dog was not allowed in the McDonalds.

Schwenker explained that Barkley was a service dog for her two children and offered to show a permit. Under federal law, service dogs are allowed in public places such as restaurants. But after that, as shown by a surveillance tape, Allen followed the family, even to the restroom. When Schenker and her children tried to leave, she lost track of one child and — I can more than relate to this, recalling how I’ve panicked when I’ve lost sight of my 14-year-old son Charlie — she dropped her drink and splashed Allen. After this, Allen ran “in a rage” after Schwenker to her car and punched her in the face.

Said WSBTV:

Marietta police Detective Gwen Lewis told Davis that she has never seen anything like it.

Schwenker did not want to speak to Davis about the incident, but her husband said they are talking to a lawyer.

Allen is charged with battery assault and disorderly conduct.

The owners of the store said they are “fully cooperating with the police department in their investigation” and have terminated Allen, who has also been issued an arrest warrant.

Allen’s behavior was certainly extreme. Unfortunately, she’s not the only one who has — in contradiction to the Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA) — said that service dogs are not allowed in restaurants, grocery stores and other places.

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Photo by Crjs452 (Own work) [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons

Disclaimer: The views expressed above are solely those of the author and may not reflect those of
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Craig H.

7:11AM PDT on Mar 31, 2012

As a trainer of Service Dogs, we find that most of the public is aware of the laws regarding service animals. Typically people are compliant. We are just training so do not actually fall under the law but do need to expose the dogs to as many environments as possible. If we encounter resistance, we must back off and leave. This is not the case for a fully trained working service dog. They have the right to be there!
In this case, the mother should have backed off but it sounds like she was unable to extricate herself from a belligerent manager. The authorities need to deal harshly with this AND this needs to be publicized so that it doesn't happen again.

send a green star

Monica S.

7:19AM PDT on Mar 29, 2012

The stupid manager just wanted to pick on them,I'm sure she doesn't ignore the law, she just chooses not to respect it, perhaps she thought it an easy thing to bully a mother of two kids. I hope she goes to jail both for her failure to respect the law regarding service animals and her vicious and totally intentional attack on the mother.

Kathy T.

4:18AM PDT on Mar 29, 2012

I think the manager needs a lot of help. I'm glad she was terminated and should be arrested. That kind of behavior is inexcusable.

Genesis M.

7:31AM PDT on Mar 28, 2012

A woman with that character does not deserve to be in service. As a manager, she should be prepared not only with the rigors of work at fast food chain but she should have as well the heart to be committed to the needs of the customers and the brain to understand the law.

Teddie S.

11:15AM PDT on Mar 26, 2012

The McDonald's former manager went overboard, in her treatment of this poor Mother.
I think all service animal should have to wear a special vest.

Fran B.

3:50PM PST on Dec 19, 2011

Service dogs and their owners should never have to suffer this kind of humiliation and violence. I hope that manager goes to jail.

Past Member .

3:50AM PST on Dec 6, 2011

Businesses, the public and individuals need to be better educated about Service Dogs. The ADA and Department Of Justice laws and regulations in regards to them. There is such a thing as a Service Dog for Autism. Also any physical or psychiatric disability can fall under federal law allowing the person to have a service dog. There is no certification requirements, and a Service Dog can be trained by a professional service dog trained or owner trained. for more informations: http://www.workinglikedogs.com/2011/03/u-s-department-of-justice-rules-on-assistance-dogs-to-become-stricter-march-15-2011/

Gillian M.

4:40PM PST on Dec 4, 2011

It is possible that Allen had been bitten or frightened by a dog in the past but it does not excuse her behaviour in any way.

Another problem is that dogs should not be in food areas of any kind because of hygiene although in the UK dogs for the blind are allowed. It is a matter of coming to a sensible compromise and full awareness. Pets are important to children with problems. My 2 sons are dyslexic, which is in the autism range, and they loved to play with our cats. Both my husband and myself worked and we felt it was unfair to have a dog but the cats were happy to be fussed and played with and it worked out.

I think I have mentioned before that when taking a dog into a classroom then it must be assessed on a regular basis. However good the dog is for one child, another may be allergic or frightened of it. I am not suggesting banning the dog but working out a sensible compromise. I agree that people who need dogs should be able to take them out with them but it is not always just about them, it is also about other people.

By the way I love dogs and foster them as well as having one as a pet now because we are in a position to care for them properly. However, I do appreciate that others do not and they also have rights. Allen's behaviour was, as I said earlier, unacceptable and if she did not want to be near a dog then she should have stayed away from it.

Mary Beth M.

2:13PM PST on Dec 3, 2011

The caliber of comments and lack of compassion here never cease to amaze me! Here is a story of a mother of autistic twins (tragic in itself) with a service dog ruthlessly attacked by an employee at one of America's traditional 'kid places'. Whether you feel McDonald's is healthy or not is hardly the point of the story! This mother, dealing with more than her share, was attacked in a public place in front of her challenged children. Wake up, people! Where is your sense of justice and compassion??

Holly L.

12:29PM PST on Dec 3, 2011

Terminated - great .. and do jail time! geeez!