Kevin, 46, takes Lidl to court after guide dog Lokie banned

A blind shopper barred from taking his guide dog into Lidl has launched a legal battle against the supermarket. Kevin Nugent, 46, says the supermarket broke the law, alleging that security contractors were not properly trained.

Mr Nugent, who is registered blind, says he was challenged on multiple occasions by supermarket security regarding his guide dog, Lokie. He claims that, on one visit, he was 'chased' down an aisle with the security guard saying could not bring a “pet dog” into the shop.

Lokie, his black Labrador guide dog, was fitted with a fully-marked fluorescent harness, Mr Nugent claims. He is being supported by the Royal National Institute of Blind People, which says that access refusals are not unusual, as reported by the Mirror.

Another time, staff allegedly shouted, “Can you walk?” despite it being obvious that he could.

Mr Nugent said: “It left me feeling humiliated, and not seen as a real person. I always point out when I am challenged, ‘Would you tell someone in a wheelchair to leave the chair outside?’ It is exactly the same by insisting the guide dog stays outside.”

Mr Nugent claims the number of times blind people are being challenged by store staff while with their dogs has risen in recent years. He puts it down to more firms outsourcing shop security.

Mr Nugent’s legal case lists five incidents between November 2022 and February last year.

The Equality Act 2010 makes it illegal for shops to refuse entry to a person with their guide dog.

Claire Andrews, legal rights officer at the RNIB, said: “Guide dogs provide a vital form of independence to blind and partially sighted people and access refusals have a very negative impact on their owner’s confidence.”

The case is expected to be heard at the Royal Courts of Justice in London. Lidl declined to comment as the case is ongoing.

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