On Feb. 16, I had lunch at Ben’s Delicatessen in the Bay Terrace Shopping Center. This was my first time dining in this establishment. I was disturbed at a site across the dining room while I was about to bite into my sandwich.
Another patron, an elderly woman, was dining with another woman and a poodle popped up onto the table and was eating out of a dish on the table. I was shocked as to what I just witnessed. I advised the waitress of what just happened.
A gentleman who seemed to have been a kitchen worker came to tell me that the dog was considered a service dog. In his words, he said the dog is not the seeing eye dog kind.
I am aware there are different types of service animals, but it is to my understanding that not only do most service animals where a special vest, but when they are in an eating establishment, they usually lie under the table, during which most of the time they go unnoticed.
The behavior of allowing the dog to eat off the table is disturbing, disgusting and unhealthy. As I was leaving, my mother, whom I was having lunch with, told the gentleman I spoke to earlier how disgusted we were. He did not apologize for the disturbance and could care less that he lost a customer.
I am displeased, to say the least, at how this situation was handled. After this incident, I will not patronize this Ben’s Delicatessen.
Krystle Long
Jackson Heights
