James Bennett, 67, was refused entry to the store, despite showing a rights information card and having a registered guide dog. 

The shop owner would not let him enter the store because it was a food outlet. 

Mr Bennett was approached by the store owner soon after entering and was denied service before being asked to leave.

He later reported the incident to Batemans Bay Police, who attended the location and issued an infringement notice to the owner.

NSW Police assistant commissioner Denis Clifford said guide dogs were legally allowed to accompany their users in all public spaces, including restaurants. 

“The use of guide dogs is about improving the quality of life for those living with blindness or vision impairment,” Mr Clifford said.

“It is an offence to refuse entry to a person with a guide dog and police can, and will, issue on-the-spot fines to those who choose to discriminate.

“It takes a great deal of time, money and dedication to breed, raise and train one guide dog and they go on to open up the world to those living with vision impairment."

Mr Bennett thanked police for their swift action in fining the shop owner.

“Reason didn’t seem to help with this person, but a fine will hit their hip pocket and send a clear message," Mr Bennett said. 

Unfortunately, Mr Bennett, who travels around the country for work, is often refused entry to businesses. In his recent trip to the South Coast, he was refused entry four times in two weeks.

“In most of these cases, it was a lack of education and understanding,” he said.

NSW Police can issue on-the-spot fines of $165 and penalty notices of up to $880 for refusing entry to a guide dog user.

For further information about the legal rights of Guide Dogs and their handlers to enter food service businesses, or how you can best assist a patron who has impaired vision in your venue, please contact Guide Dogs NSW/ACT on (02) 9412 9300.