Hmmm...it's hard to see what happened with the drink. The news reporter said she threw it down, other reports said she dropped it. Also, the dog doesn't appear to be wearing any thing identifying it as a service dog, so I don't think the manager was completely out of line in approaching Schwenker initially.

This is one of those cases where you wish there was audio along with the video to hear what was being said. Again, none of it excuses the manager hitting Schwenker, but I don't buy that she was totally innocent either.

I do think Schwenker was innocent, in that I don't think she purposely threw the drink, her body was facing the other direction when she dropped the drink, and I think she was panicking about finding her son at the time. However, it looks like Allen was chatting with her other workers, and wasn't looking at her when she dropped the drink, and since it did splash on her could assume it was purposely thrown. What she did next is wrong, no doubt, and I don't understand this type of action, but so many people seem to think it's okay to "defend" themselves when they have been disrespected. I mean I agree she should be fired, and needs some anger management training. What makes me a little mad is how is this McDonald’s fault, and why should they be sued? The manager was off duty at the time. Also, some of this aggression could have come from the fact that Allan was holding her small daughter at the time, and felt the need to protect her, kind of like the momma lion instinct coming out.

The dog didn't seem to have a vest on, and also I noticed the dog was laying down on his side all sprawled out. I don't know if this is the case, but guide dogs that are in "work mode" won't lay like that, right? They will sit at attention, but he was all sprawled out.

Also I've dropped plenty of drinks before, they don't splash like that. I've also been known to passive aggressively "accidentally" drop things like that. :blush:

that said, yes, no one has the right to punch someone like that. But was the punch caught on tape?

Gotta watch out for those cases of passive/aggressive dropsies.

Yeah, I was wondering if working dogs did that too. I never passive aggressively dropped a drink, but I have misplaced a kid for a second, and it's panic time. Weird thing is I could have sworn I saw Allen punching Schwenker while she was on the ground, but I guess I just pictured that in my mind.

I know. Not something that I am particularly proud of.

I'm with you on the dog comment. Many, MANY years ago when I was in junior high, we had the seeing eye dogs of america come to a presentation for my english class. They had 2 dogs, a pup in training, and a fully trained dog. (a recent grad) They stressed how early training is what makes the best guide dogs. Both dogs were laying on the floor, but at attention; Head up, legs tucked in. It could be that the dog is an emotional support animal. I thought those are not allowed in places like Mc D's?

I'm not even going to touch this one. I'm not politically correct enough to keep myself out of trouble :rolleyes:

Are you worried about the Polite Police coming after you again? Don't worry, I've got some extra money set aside for bail.:p

Bad girl bad girl. Whatcha gonna do! Whatcha gonna do when the Polite Police come for you!:D

Wow. No words to describe that .

If it were a true "emotional support animal" versus a "service dog" which is task trained, then it wouldn't be covered:

Effective March 15, 2011, “Service animal means any dog that is individually trained to do work or perform tasks for the benefit of an individual with a disability, including a physical, sensory, psychiatric, intellectual, or other mental disability. Other species of animals, whether wild or domestic, trained or untrained, are not service animals for the purposes of this definition. The work or tasks performed by a service animal must be directly related to the handler´s disability. Examples of work or tasks include, but are not limited to, assisting individuals who are blind or have low vision with navigation and other tasks, alerting individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing to the presence of people or sounds, providing non-violent protection or rescue work, pulling a wheelchair, assisting an individual during a seizure, alerting individuals to the presence of allergens, retrieving items such as medicine or the telephone, providing physical support and assistance with balance and stability to individuals with mobility disabilities, and helping persons with psychiatric and neurological disabilities by preventing or interrupting impulsive or destructive behaviors. The crime deterrent effects of an animal´s presence and the provision of emotional support, well-being, comfort, or companionship do not constitute work or tasks for the purposes of this definition.”

How was the definition of "service animal" changed July 23, 2010? | Service Dog Central

Yeah, I'm thinking it was more of an emotional support dog, rather than a seeing eye dog. The kids were autistic, not blind or hard of hearing. Maybe that's why the mom doesn't want to talk to anyone about the incident?

Here's some information about autism support dogs. Autism Support Dogs

Some of the benefits that can be experienced are:

1. Increase safety for the child
2. Control the child by commanding the dog
3. Passively teaches the child responsibility
4. Under the B.C. Guide Animal Act Autism Support Dogs enjoy the right of full public access
5. Positive changes in behavior, lowers aggression/frustration levels with the child
6.Comforts when upset
7. Meet the needs of parents for a degree of predictability in social settings for the child and themselves.


With two autistic kids, I'm sure a dog was very useful. She's probably not talking to anyone because her lawyer advised her not to. They will sue and anything she's says now could be used in court later. By the way, do the rest of you believe McDonald’s is responsible? She was off duty at the time.

BC is Canada. It doesn't appear that the dogs have the same rights here in the US. If I'm wrong about that, please let me know.

I don't think Mickey D's is responsible because she wasn't on duty. However, what the heck do I know? I thought Casey Anthony was guilty.