Wawa Settles NJ Man’s Service Dog Complaint for $12,500

Wawa has agreed to pay $12,500 in settlement money to a Millville resident after filling a formal complaint with the company earlier in the summer.

Patrick Stark, of Millville, has agreed to a $12,500 settlement with Wawa after he filed a formal complaint against the company after an incident involving his service dog at the Millville Wawa on June 13.

According to the complaint, Stark entered the Millville Wawa with his service dog to order a sandwich. Stark was allegedly told that he would not be served unless the dog was taken outside.

A store manager allegedly told Stark that he must leave the Wawa after Stark attempted to explain that the dog was permitted by law to be allowed in the store.

Stark told the NJ Division of Civil Rights investigators that he requires a service dog because he experiences periodic seizures and the dog is trained to assist him in case of an emergency.

In addition to paying Stark, Wawa has agreed to post signs in its NJ stores showing that service dogs are welcome as well as training their NJ employees on laws and company policies regarding service animals. In the settlement Wawa did not admit to any wrongdoing.

Deputy Attorney General James Michael, assigned to the Division of Law’s Civil Rights Section and Division of Civil Rights Investigator Mark McNierney were in charged of handling the Wawa case of behalf of the state.