Asst mgr charged, denied service dog

CASCADE TOWNSHIP, Mich. (WOOD) - A restaurant assistant manager has been charged for not allowing a patron's service dog to sit with him in a Kent County establishment.

Nataly Bucio was arraigned Wednesday morning on a charge of refusing accommodation to a person with disabilities led by a dog.

Frank Eckl and his family -- including his service dog -- went to dinner Nov. 5, 2011 at Don Julio's restaurant, 5039 28th St. SE in Cascade Township. But Bucio told them the dog had to stay in the lobby.

Eckl is a veteran who uses the dog because of a disability he has that causes occasional seizures.

Bucio, 21, of Kentwood was arrested on Jan. 26 and faces 90 days in jail if found guilty of the misdemeanor.

"The process has been very stressful to her. She's lost her job, obviously, she's getting comments from the public, people are giving her a hard time. It's just causing problems for her, so she's looking forward to the truth to come out," Bucio's lawyer, Jason Ronning, told 24 Hour News 8 after Wednesday's court session.

The restaurant closed its doors in December after backlash and a Facebook-arranged boycott.