A Kentucky restaurant was slapped with a $25,000 fine after refusing to serve a disabled Navy veteran because of her service dog, officials said.

The Lexington-Fayette County Human Rights Commission ruled Oasis Mediterranean Restaurant and owner Ahmad Salah violated state and city anti-discrimination laws when they ordered Sarah Van Vooren to leave the Chevy Chase eatery in March 2023.

“The offense was intentional and it was severe,” a hearing officer wrote in the ruling adopted Sept. 15 by the commission.

News of the ruling was first reported by the Lexington Herald-Leader.

Van Vooren, now a Fayette County Public Schools teacher, filed her complaint last year after Salah blocked her and her service dog, a blond Labrador named Mooney, from accessing the restroom and buffet.

Sarah V

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