A New Jersey war vet says cops acted like a bunch of animals when they booted him from a zoo for bringing his service dog inside, according to a new lawsuit.
Jonathan Hinker — who says he suffers from hearing loss, eyesight issues and post traumatic stress — was “harassed” by police and zoo employees over why he brought the pooch to the Cape May Zoo on Aug. 20, 2016, according to the suit, filed in United States District Court on Friday .
“[They] unlawfully and improperly harassed, bullied, and intimidated Hinker and his family,” the lawsuit states.
When Hinker of North Cape May refused to reveal the details of his disability to the cops and staff, he and his family were kicked out of the zoo, the lawsuit states.
Hinker says the zoo violated the Americans with Disabilities Act by denying him “full and equal enjoyment of the accommodations of its place of public accommodations.” He also suffered “emotional distress” and “humiliation” from harsh treatment by cops and workers, court papers state.
Hinker suffers from health issues that qualify for a service dog, according to the lawsuit.
He is seeking unspecified damages, along with attorney fees and other court-related costs.



