Disabled Vet Harassed At Cape May County Zoo, Lawsuit Says

A disabled veteran and his family say they were harassed, bullied and intimidated for having a service dog at a New Jersey zoo, according to a lawsuit.

Jonathan and Jacqueline Hinker of North Cape May filed the lawsuit this week in U.S. District Court in Camden, saying they were confronted about having the dog at the Cape May County Zoo during a 2016 visit and were "unlawfully and improperly harassed, bullied and intimidated."

Jonathan Hinker has post-traumatic stress disorder after suffering a brain injury while serving in the military, according to the lawsuit. Hinker suffers from bilateral hearing loss and wears hearing aids, the lawsuit says.

The lawsuit says Cape May officials made "improper and unlawful demands" that he disclose private information about the need for his service dog. Jonathan Hinker subsequently "sustained emotional distress, mental anguish and humiliation."

The zoo violated the Americans with Disabilities Act by not allowing Hinker to have full and equal enjoyment of the accommodations for his disabilities. The Hinkers have asked for damages since they've suffered psychiatric and emotional distress, according to the lawsuit.

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