FORT MYERS – A disabled Sarasota County veteran alleges that a shop wouldn't serve him because of his service animal.
Jonathan Augusta filed a complaint on March 15 in the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Florida, Fort Myers Division against Bobcat LLC alleging that the shop owner violated the Americans with Disability Act.
According to the complaint, the plaintiff alleges that on Feb. 12, he suffered embarrassment, emotional distress and was deprived of his civil rights when he visited the defendant's Simply Sweet shop. The plaintiff holds Bobcat LLC responsible because the defendant allegedly refused to provide him goods and services offered to the public because the plaintiff had his service dog with him.
The plaintiff seeks the following: an order requiring defendant to make reasonable modifications in its policies; attorneys' fees and costs; and any further relief that the court may deem just and proper. He is represented by Eric W. Deming of Morgan & Morgan PA in Orlando.
U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Florida, Fort Myers Division Case number 2:16-cv-00199