A West Frankfort Man says he got kicked out of the American Legion in Benton for disturbing the peace, but claims it was really about his service dog.
BENTON, Ill (WSIL)-- A West Frankfort man says he got kicked out of the American Legion in Benton for disturbing the peace, but claims it was really about his service dog.
Ryan Beseke said he went to the American Legion in Benton to play bingo and brought his service dog Mighty.
"And we were asked to immediately leave the place of establishment where we normally sit. Or provide papers for Mighty being my service dog, and we were told we are not welcome there and that we needed to leave the property," Beseke said.
Beseke says he ended up in an argument with a staff member at the legion who called the police.
"And even after making them aware of the situation and the laws. I was still asked to leave. And also I was wrongfully and illegally trust passed from the property so I also sustained legal ramifications," Beseke said.
Our team contacted the Benton Police to learn about Beseke's situation.
Benton's chief says he believes Beseke was originally asked to leave because of the service dog and he wouldn't provide the documentation that it was a service dog. But also his reaction to the situation caused them to not want him at the establishment for his behavior.
Benton's chief says it is against the law to require people to show identification of their service animals. But people can ask if it's a service dog, and what task it's trained to perform.
"They're discriminating against us, we're protected by the ADA law, and also federal regulations," Beseke said.
Beseke says he typically doesn't run into problems with Mighty and feels like he lost his community.
"Stucken by it because they have always welcomed us with open arms when we go anywhere else," Beseke said.
Police say Beseke can fill out a complaint with the attorney general about his case.
We've left messages with the American Legion for a comment. We're working to contact them and get their side of the story.
BENTON, Ill (WSIL)-- A West Frankfort man says he got kicked out of the American Legion in Benton for disturbing the peace, but claims it was really about his service dog.
Ryan Beseke said he went to the American Legion in Benton to play bingo and brought his service dog Mighty.
"And we were asked to immediately leave the place of establishment where we normally sit. Or provide papers for Mighty being my service dog, and we were told we are not welcome there and that we needed to leave the property," Beseke said.
Beseke says he ended up in an argument with a staff member at the legion who called the police.
"And even after making them aware of the situation and the laws. I was still asked to leave. And also I was wrongfully and illegally trust passed from the property so I also sustained legal ramifications," Beseke said.
Our team contacted the Benton Police to learn about Beseke's situation.
Benton's chief says he believes Beseke was originally asked to leave because of the service dog and he wouldn't provide the documentation that it was a service dog. But also his reaction to the situation caused them to not want him at the establishment for his behavior.
Benton's chief says it is against the law to require people to show identification of their service animals. But people can ask if it's a service dog, and what task it's trained to perform.
"They're discriminating against us, we're protected by the ADA law, and also federal regulations," Beseke said.
Beseke says he typically doesn't run into problems with Mighty and feels like he lost his community.
"Stucken by it because they have always welcomed us with open arms when we go anywhere else," Beseke said.
Police say Beseke can fill out a complaint with the attorney general about his case.
We've left messages with the American Legion for a comment. We're working to contact them and get their side of the story.
