Kicked Out of Crowne Plaza Hotel In Albany
 

We took Lucinda with us to Albany, New York last weekend. We went with our daughter and granddaughter to attend my nieces wedding. Our 14 year old granddaughter is autistic. When she holds Lucinda, she feels safe and is calm. So for her and because we all wanted to take her anyway, we bought her the airline pass and off we all went. We had booked at the Crowne Plaza because that is where other family and friends for the wedding were also staying. Never even crossed my mind that they would not allow Lucinda to stay. Long story short, the evening of the wedding we came back to our room at 10 PM. The key card would not work. We went to the front desk to get a new key. A person from security accompanied us to the room. We were clueless as to what was really going on. After he gave us a new card and let us in he said "Do you have a dog in this room?" We said yes. He then told us that we had to go and talk with the evening manager. She told us that we had to leave the hotel immediately. She informed us that maybe one hotels in Albany allows dogs. I said I was shocked, that we take Lucinda everywhere we travel and have never had a problem! She said that she had not heard of hotels taking dogs anywhere. I told her that since we paid for the room via Priceline that we could not get a refund and really did not have the money to be double paying on two rooms in two different places. She said that she would go talk to her supervisor. She came back and said that we could stay only until morning and had to pay a 50.00 fine!The next night we took Lucinda and stayed at the brides home as she was now gone on her honeymoon. The next night we tried to sneak her back into the room for our last night there. We don't know how they found out but early the next morning, security came to kick us out. We were checking out anyway. There was another 50 buck fine on our bill for having her there that night! It's funny....Mariah Carey was in the hotel the same nights. I bet she had her Yorkie with her...what do you bet!? After we got home, I sent the management a letter and included articles about how many luxury hotels not only allow dogs but do special things for dogs that are in their hotels. Also put in the article about Oprahs show on dogs and hotels. It was worth the 100.00 fines to have had Lucinda with us but the way we were treated was appalling! And what right do they have to "fine" us. I could see a security deposit but that was not what the 100.00 was for or we would have gotten it back (Lucinda does no damage). Sorry this was long, but I had to vent.

I've been seeing a lot about being able to break the no dog rule, if you have a medical needs dog, like a seeing eye dog. Some are even claiming their dog provides emotional support and getting away with bringing them where service animal dogs are allowed, which I believe is anywhere. I would think your autistic granddaughter is definitely who the new laws are being made for.

Here's the thread I was talking about

http://www.yorkietalk.com/forums/sho...ervice+animals

That is a terrible experience! :eek:

My husband and I always travel with both the poodle and cat. Last x-mas we drove to TN 3 times and stayed a week or so. I too book my hotels online. The best place I have ever stayed that is pet-friendly is motel 6 and studio 6 motels. There are countless other hotels that are pet-friendly. There is a 10.00 non-refundable pet fee but they treat them like guests.

Where I live, I cannot even take my dog out to MY front lawn to pee because some people have a cow. I cannot bring my dog to the park etc. Very unfriendly here with pets :thumbdown
I am originally from AZ and I have never had a problem there either. My pets always travel with me by car or airplane with no problems either.

I am so sorry you went through this. Next time, do a search online for pet-friendly hotels and you'll get a list. Poor Lucinda, I bet she knew she was unwelcomed :(

I am a real stickler for protocol. I would have asked to see their policy in writing and the fine endorsement before I would have paid a dime. Sounds to me like they just picked $50 out of the air to charge as a fine. I also would find out who their parent company is and write a letter to them telling of the bad treatment you received and tell them you will advertise what a bad place it was.

Awwwwwwwwwww I LIVE in Albany, you could have come here :) And I know that there are plenty of hotels in Albany and Latham that allow dogs, I've stayed there with Simon and Hallie. I'm sorry you had a horrible experience.

Gosh, even some Red Roof Inns allow dogs!

I would hate not being able to take mine around with me or even anywhere in my lawn. It IS your lawn! That's too bad.:(

For many years my family raised Guide Dogs for The Blind. We traveled and often we would come across hotels that were not "pet" hotels but because we were traveling with a service animal we were allowed to stay, but did have to pay an extra fee, usually $45. Yes, they did also charge the people who were blind and had their guide dog. The reason they stated in writing is the extra care that needs to be taken in the room. Keep in mind they do not change the comforters every time the room changes. But they must when an animal has been in the room. They also do something with the carpets, because of pet allergies being so common. Not saying I agree just mentioning what I had experianced.
Something else to think about with pet fees. If you travel by air with your pet in cabin it is an additional $80 each way. Your pet counts as one of your carry on items. I am having to pay for her, so why should she count as my carry on not sure I understand the logic behind this(counts as carry on item when you have to pay for it). I have just gone through this as well, it is standard procedure, at least I am able to fly with her.

Kicked Out of Hotel
 

I can understand how you feel about being told to leave the hotel, but the hotel had every right to do so. If your dog is a Service Dog, under the ADA (American Disability Act), you can keep her with you, otherwise, you must abide by the hotel's policies. Many hotels are happy to accomodate pets IF asked upfront, and if a 'damage' deposit is paid. I'm sorry you are upset, but by sneaking your dog in, you make it more difficult for others, as the hotel management will be less likely to ever admit pets. Even if your dog is an ESA for your niece, it still does not have to be allowed; first of all, your dog cannot be an ESA for someone that is not living with youand secondly, only Service Dogs are covered in public by the ADA.
The hotel management was wihin its rights to aske you to leave, and to fine you for having the dog there, EACH time. After all, you were told clearly that the dog was not welcome, yet you still broke the rules and sneaked her in again. Do you really wonder at the management being upset? You know if your dog will or will not damage anything in the room, or even leave fleas, but the hotel management does not; that is what the $50.00 deposit is for. It is quite standard for pets at most inns that accomodate them.

However, hotels are NOT allowed to demand a deposit for 'damage control' from anyone who is accompanied by a Service Dog as outlined in the ADA.

I may be unpopular with those of you who are used to sneaking your dogs into public places, but as a Service Dog owner and handler, I can see both sides of the story.

Lila,
I understand what you are saying. I know it is very hard sometimes for people to understand what it is like for people who have service animals and how important it is for them to have access. I will also mention that I struggle very much with people sneaking pets into stores and yes, even restaruants because they can in these little bags.
Iam a strong supporter of service animals, as I mentioned for many years I raised Guide Dogs for The Blind. I applaued you for standing up and taking your position. Even though it may offend people, people do need to know.

That sux you guys got kicked out! Wish it worked out better for you. Unfortuantly, celebs get better treatment then us nonfamous people. The wouldn't kick Mariah Carey out because of the publicty that the hotel will get from her being there. If they treat her bad, they can lose a lot of business. This why places bend of backwards for celebs, and why underage celebs are even allowed into bars.

On a side note though, I still don't see why you brought your dog back when you knew she wasn't allowed :confused:

i always check the pets policy at hotels before I go. usually it is on their website.

Thank You Dizpatch
 

Thank you for agreeing with me; it is difficult to gain access for Service Dogs for many people figure that as it is not a Guide Dog for the blind, it cannot be a Service Dog. My Yorkie is a Service Dog, and therefore can accompany me everywhere, theoretically. It is still difficult at times to convince others of this. In Ontario, our laws are not as good as your ADA, but hopefully it will improve. At this point, we have to provide our written prescriptions for Service Dogs to any gatekeeper that asks; in your country, they are allowed only to ask if the dog is a Service Dog, and what it does, as anything more would require exposing one's personal medical information.

I can also see the side that wishes to take a pet places; when I first got my Yorkie, I did take her with me as much as possible; I had to sneak her on the train once, as the only way I could take her, according to Via, was to ship her in the baggage car. However, there was no baggage car going to my destination!

I hope as small dogs become more popular, businesses open their doors more to all dogs, providing the rules are followed. It is the owners of undisciplined dogs, and bad owners that cause problems everywhere for all owners and dogs. I would love to see more dogs out in public, as I am sure many of you do also.

autism is protected by the ada. if the dog was providing that child a service it's illegal for them to fine you or kick you out. i would contact the ada for advice.

I appreciate all of your responses. I do not take any offense to those of you who spoke up about all aspects of the situation. It was not right to bring her in again....that is true. It was emotional.....not knowing what to do with Lucinda, how my autistic granddaughter would react, etc. etc. Thank you to everyone for all responses. Oh, I understand what you are saying about the airlines. We paid 160.00 to take her on the plane.
On another note. Not one person employed by the airline or security checked Lucinda over....did not even around in her bag. There was a man on the plane who just returned from Iraq. He sat by our dgt. He said that dogs are often use as carriers of explosives. It was so odd the way she was completely ignored.

autism is protected by the ada. if the dog was providing that child a service it's illegal for them to fine you or kick you out. i would contact the ada for advice.

Yes, autism falls under the ADA, but unless the dog is the child's SD, they have every right to ask you to leave. If the dog belongs to the child and is her SD, then you may take it up with the management of the hotel, with the backing of ADA. Here it sounds like the dog was sometimes useful for the child, but was not her actual Service Dog.

It can be very frustrating, for both Service Dog handlers and managements, if others mis-use the ADA, but are not disabled, and do not have a prescription for a Service Dog.

I just want to say thank you! for not getting upset and angry and lashing out. Trust me I understand both sides. But to this day I just can not bring myself to take a furbaby in unless they are welcome. I know what I went through as a service dog handler. So for me it is my personal choice and I just want to thank you for accepting that.
BTW that was also my recent experiance at the airport. Security did not check her, nor did they put the wand over her. I was able to walk through the dector with her in our arms. That was the biggest surprise. I was not able to do that with our guide dog. I actually had to leave her on the otherside and give her a command to wait, when I went through the dector they gave me the ok to call her through & then they took the wand over. This was before 9/11

Sorry about your problems.

I'm sure that we all know that some places (hotels, motels, and every place else) allow dogs and other places don't.

So ------------------ for this reason, I would never have booked a room anyplace without knowing in advance whether or not my dog would be allowed.

I would never "sneak" my dog into a hotel or motel room that doesn't allow dogs - just couldn't do it. As you learned - that can be both embarrassing and expensive.


***** I am happy though that more and more places are beginning to accept animals. This makes it easier for all of us when we travel. And - no - of course, they don't all need to accept animals - but it's nice to know that it's becoming easier to find places that do.

I think there's nothing more fun than being some place with your dog - where you are all welcome and can lay back and really enjoy yourselves.

Carol Jean

I believe, not sure ?? But, have your dog become a therapy dog and you will be able to take her with your grandaughter anywhere.

This info is correct, altho it differs from state to state but in New York State a dog needed for any handicapped person has the right to be anywhere. The rules I read were on a New York State web site on therapy dogs and siesure dogs, it continued to say that "even when a handicap was not eveident, as some are not, once you state the dog is there for a handicapped reason, the owner of the establishment is not allowed to ask you to leave. It is against the law. They are not even allowed to ask you what the handicap is... I copied these papers from the site and need to find them to fwoard you the web address. Keep your receipts because New York State WILL fine them when you reprot them. Also know that all hotels that are dog friendly charge between 20 to 50 more per night for having a dog with you, whether there is damage or not but they do not call it a fine. The fines will be returned if you report this hotel.

This was in our local paper last night.Kinda timely. It did make AP.
It happened in Seattle.

Handicapped woman wins second bias case
Seattle (AP)-For the second time, a handicapped woman has won a discrimination case against a motel that denied her a room because of the service dog she needs to pull her wheelchair.
On Aug 29 a city hearing examiner ordered the Georgian Motel to pay Dawn Lucas $2500.00 and post a sign on the front desk saying service dogs are welcome. Motel owener Bill Han could not be reached for comment except to say he will appeal.
Lucas, 37who now lives in a subsidized apartment, won a similar case in 2003 when the city's civil rights office negotiated a $300 settlement with the Way West motel.
"It's not about the money," Lucas told the Seattle Post-Intellingencer for an article published today. She said the purpose was to raise awarenss that people other than the blind rely on service dogs and that they should not be considered merely pets. The 1990 Americans with Disabilities Act requires access for service animals, which are trained to perform some functions for people with disabilities. Lucas says she and her dog Otter are readily admitted to the Pike Place Medical Clinic, Westlake Center and various movie theaters.
Her second discrimination case arose in May 2004 after she received a disability check and sought a night of privacy at an inexpensive motel after sleeping on two chairs pushed together in a room with 15 other women at YWCA Angeline's Center for Homeless Women.
When she arrived with Otter, however, the motel manager told her, "we don't allow pets," and would not relent after she showed him a note from her doctor that verified her reliance on the dog and Otter's certification from a training school. As a result she had to return to the shelter. end of article.

Just something to keep in mind, we do have the disabilities act however, while they are required to allow access, but as you saw they do not have to let you have access. They are suppose to, but if they don't the disabled person has to find an alternative and then take them to court. It is wrong.
Once again for me this is why I can not sneak my furbaby in. I know what it is like to be out with a service dog and be denied access.

Again, thanks to everyone for input. We did not even mention to the hotel that our granddaughter has Autism. It did not even occur to us as. All of your information has been informative. Much appreciated!

geez, thats terrible

You are welcome and thank you for being understanding :ghug:

Kansas can NOT be offensive to your York8ie, too much like TOTO I would think :D

Just for everybody's info. Hotels or other public places are legally not allowed to (1) charge any additional fee for a medical support or service animal, (2) ask for any sort of identification or proof of the bona fide nature of the service animal, or (3) ask for proof of your medical condition requiring a service animal...This is according to the Americans with Disabilities Act at least.

However, you are required to identify that you have a service animal with you in a place that does not normally allow animals. Then the establishment is allowed to ask you what function the animal is trained to perform. Emotional support is recognized as a legitimate service under the ADA. The only exception to this rule is commercial airline flights. Other than that you are not required to give them any other information, and once they eject you they are in violation of the law. I am quite positive of this as the firm I work for has litigated several access cases on behalf of people who genuinely use dogs as emotional support for panick disorders, agoraphobia, etc.

http://www.deltasociety.org/ServiceInformationBasic.htm

go here & read this/you may find it helpful and it may clarify
(I am still searching for the pages I read specifically on New York State


And what I read in the NYS one is that no one could ask the reason the SD was with a patient/it specified that most people could not distiguish a SD dog if a disability was not visible but it was still not allowed to be questioned, hopfully I can find that page.
be back when I can

http://www.dogplay.com/Activities/Therapy/special.html
here is another one I researched before my last trip to NY

Sound laugh!!!
 

PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE, don't misunderstand what I will say... After reading this post, I was here, seriously thinking about service animals... Luna was walking beside me, and I hold her to ask her (don't we all talk to our yorkies???LOL) Are you my little service animal?????? I could see that evil sight on her eyes... and I could swear she told me... NO, YOU are MY service animal.... :eek:

I am so sorry your baby was not welcomed at the hotel... Next time try La Quinta Hotels, Luna was a VIP guest last time...

YOU ARE SO RIGHT, we all are their service animals:2cute:
(in fact even tonight, I thought I might sit in my chair and relax, then Chloe asked for something from the kitchen, so I went, then as soon as I sat down, Sissy brings me her ball and wants to play, so I did, then as soon as I sit down, Chloe wants to run in the yard and chase chipmonks, so I do (not chase them but take her outside & let her as I sit and watch) Finally I come in and decide to give up on the chair & any idea of relaxing, NOW Chloe & I are sitting at my keyboard (any mis-spellings are hers) Sissy is sitting on my feet making them tickle and go numb:p YUP we are here to service them!:D