An Argentine restaurant was ordered to compensate a family after preventing a minor with Asperger’s syndrome, who was accompanied by his assistance dog, from entering. The incident occurred during a vacation in Mar del Plata, when the family tried to have lunch at the establishment.
The parents presented the documentation for the animal, named Zeus, but they were still denied access to the seating area. The court found that the refusal violated the minor’s rights, affected his dignified treatment as a consumer, and constituted a discriminatory act due to his disability.
The ruling ordered total compensation of 16 million Argentine pesos, more than 10 thousand dollars, including moral damages and punitive damages. For the family, the dog was not a pet for walks, but rather necessary support for the child’s daily life.