A Perth restaurant has apologised after a member of staff turned away a blind man and his guide dog.
Alexander Miller and his wife, Novena, had decided to stop for lunch at the Maza Buffet restaurant.
However Mr Miller, from Broxburn, West Lothian, was told that he would have to leave his guide dog tied to a lamp post outside.
Mr Miller, 52, said he tried to explain that his four-year-old dog, Otis, was a guide dog, but staff said the dog couldn’t come in due to environmental health reasons.
Registered blind for nearly 30 years after suffering a viral infection, Mr Miller said: “I have been turned away before at other restaurants, and this time around I have just had enough.
“I couldn’t tie up Otis because my first thought is that guide dogs cost £50,000 during their lifetime for training and support. It’s not right or safe for him to be left next to a busy road.
“I am surprised that the staff didn’t know they were doing wrong. I tried to explain that Otis was a guide dog, but it didn’t make any difference.
“It’s very disheartening. I was left humiliated and embarrassed by this. The law stipulates that guide dog owners should not be turned away just because they are with an assistance dog.”
Restaurant bosses have now apologised.
A restaurant spokesman said: “I am offering the gentleman, Mr Miller, to come for a free lunch with us as our sincere apology. I hope you would understand this matter and forgive us and give us the opportunity to learn from this.”
A spokesperson for Guide Dogs for the Blind in Scotland said: “Guide dog owners rely on their dogs for mobility and independence. This is recognised in the Equality Act 2010, which requires restaurants and other service providers not to discriminate against disabled people, including those with assistance dogs, in how they provide their service.
“Guide Dogs for the Blind is happy to work with staff to offer training and advice on the law and just how important a job guide dogs do for their owners.”