O’Brien’s Sports Bar is the subject of an Arizonans with Disabilities Act lawsuit filed by the Civil Rights Division of the Arizona Attorney General’s Office. The case involves Bill Larson, a veteran of the Air Force Reserves, who was asked to leave the bar because of his service dog.
According to the Attorney General’s Office, Larson has a brain injury which causes him to experience transient ischemic attacks, commonly known as “mini-strokes.” Larson’s American Bulldog “Whopper” is a service animal, trained to detect the onset of a transient ischemic attack and alert Larson so that he may take steps to ensure his safety and the safety of others.
The Attorney General’s Office alleges that “on or about January 16, 2018, Larson and Whopper visited O’Brien’s Sports Bar. The owner of O’Brien’s Sports Bar, in addition to the bartender, told Larson that he was not allowed in the bar with his dog. Larson attempted to explain that he was disabled and that Whopper was a service dog, but he still was refused service.”
The Attorney General’s lawsuit alleges that O’Brien’s Sports Bar violated the Arizonans with Disabilities Act by ordering Larson to leave the establishment because of his service dog.
The Attorney General’s Office is requesting injunctive relief against Obrigis, LLC d/b/a O’Brien’s Sports Bar, to include instituting, implementing, and enforcing policies, practices, and programs that provide equal treatment for all individuals, including those with disabilities, and training for employees regarding disability discrimination and reasonable accommodations.