A SHOPPER has accused Walmart staff of stalking her around the store – simply because she had her service dog with her.

Aggrieved shopper Crystal Pratt says she was in a shop buying her sister a present and had taken along her service dog, a golden retriever named Bella, who was off-leash.

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Bella the dog was not on a leashCredit: Getty Images
 

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Crystal Pratt says she wants awareness to be raisedCredit: WRGB
But her trip soon turned sour when she says she was stalked around the store in Albany, New York by employees because her service dog, a golden retriever, was off-leash.

Crystal Pratt says she had only just entered the store when a greeter in a winter coat approached her and then asked her to leave.

Pratt, who uses a mobility scooter inside stores, told CBS NEWS she had initially told the woman to step away from the dog, but the woman simply repeatedly told her to leave as Bella was not on a leash.

Pratt said she clearly explained the law to the woman but she was ignored.

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The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) allows a service animal to be off‑leash when a handler’s disability prevents the use of one.

Pratt said she explained to the Walmart workers that Bella has been trained to perform a task known as ‘retrieval,’ which helps her to pick up items she cannot reach because of her mobility issues.

The pooch has also been trained to perform the task called ‘blocking’ where she stands between her owner and anyone who she perceives may be too close.

This is so that she doesn’t get knocked over due to the limited muscle tone in her leg after her surgeries.

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The golden retriever was officially certified in 2023 by All Dawgs, an Albany training center specializing in service animals and is fully certified.

But Pratt said Walmart workers ignored her words, even ignoring the specific ADA FAQ numbers those with disabilities are advised to cite if they are ever questioned.

NOT LISTENING

“They just kept yelling from across the aisles that she needed to be on a leash,” she said.

“I must have told them a dozen times to look up ADA FAQ 27. They refused.”

Pratt said the ordeal took another turn when other people started to join in confronting her.

But instead of being in Walmart uniforms, they were dressed in winter coats which she claims left her confused as to whether they were workers or aggressive customers.

The employees then informed her that they were members of Walmart’s Asset Protection team, who often dress incognito.

Pratt went about her business and tried to do her shopping and she claims that five employees stalked her through the aisles, recording her as she went.

She says they repeatedly told her to put the dog on the leash or leave, resulting in her calling police.

By the time officers arrived, she was already at the checkout but added that instead of correcting the employees, police told her they were obligated to escort her out because Walmart wanted her removed for trespassing – a request she said came after she started filming their behaviour toward her.

Pratt insisted she did nothing wrong and says she was simply trying to buy a small gift for her younger sister, who is battling metastatic breast cancer.

“I wasn’t even able to finish shopping,” she said.

“Their lotion is locked up behind cabinets, and I knew no one was going to help me. I just wanted to get something to cheer my sister up.”

Pratt said she wants an apology from Walmart and thinks they should consider sending her sister a gift themselves.

“I don’t think that’s unreasonable,” she said. “They ruined the entire trip.”

Pratt, who has undergone multiple cancer treatments and walks with a cane or a walker, says Bella’s work is essential to her independence – and has not ever been an issue in the past before.

The aggrieved shopper added that the experience was so horrible she is even considering legal help and has contacted Disability Rights New York for advice.

She also plans to file a complaint with the state’s Division of Human Rights, and hopes by doing so it will raise awareness of the rights of those deemed disabled.

“People bring emotional‑support animals into Walmart all the time, and I understand why employees get suspicious,” Pratt said.

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“But there’s a huge difference. Once a customer says it’s a service dog and explains the task, they need to back off unless the dog is out of control. Bella wasn’t.”

Walmart are yet to respond to requests for comment.

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The store have not yet responded to requests for commentCredit: Getty
Source: https://www.the-sun.com/news/15925567/walmart-shopper-staff-followed-service-dog/