Police have issued a store owner with an infringement notice after they allegedly refused service to a customer with a guide dog at the weekend.

Officers attached to NSW Far South Coast Local Area Command have been told the 67-year-old man entered the takeaway store with his guide dog on Beach Road at Batemans Bay, on Saturday morning.

The man was allegedly approached by the owner a short time later who refused him service and asked him to leave the store.

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

Denis Clifford, assistant commissioner, NSW Police Corporate Sponsor for Vulnerable Communities, said the police have been working closely with Guide Dogs Australia to encourage education and inclusion of people living with impaired vision.

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

“Guide dogs are legally allowed to accompany their users in all public places including shops, hotels, clubs, restaurants, taxis and public transport.

“It is therefore 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,” Clifford said.

“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.

“We encourage everyone in the community to include and support Guide Dogs and their companions, and respect their shared right for human dignity.”