Disabled IDF veteran says he was forced to leave McDonald's with service dog

A disabled Israeli military veteran with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) reported being asked to leave a McDonald's restaurant in northern Israel because of his service dog. Aviv Levy recounted the incident at the Gan Shmuel Junction location to Channel 12 News.

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I need the dog; he helps me in crowded places where there are children screaming and [lots of] noise. I absolutely would not have come to...McDonald's with my family without the dog.

Levy explained that he rarely ventures into crowded places due to his PTSD. He relies on his service dog to cope with environments featuring screaming children and excessive noise. "I need the dog; he helps me in crowded places where there are children screaming and [lots of] noise," Levy stated. He added that he would not have attended the restaurant with his family without the dog's assistance.

The veteran and his family had already ordered and sat down when an employee insisted they leave. Levy noted the dog was well-behaved, did not cause any disturbance, and that other patrons even inquired about petting him. Despite explaining the situation and providing documentation that the dog is a service animal, the manager reportedly required him to leave.

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The dog sat, didn't bark, didn't bother [anyone], nothing. People even came and asked if they could pet him.

The encounter left Levy experiencing heightened stress and anxiety for several days, affecting his sleep and causing frustration. The incident occurred despite a 2022 law granting PTSD service dogs the same legal status as guide dogs, ensuring equal access to public spaces and services for individuals with such assistance animals.

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I didn't sleep all night. It's very frustrating. It's not about money. I take one step forward and five steps back.