Kennewick, Wash. (KEPR/CNN) — It was like any other day for the Slaugh family, walking into a Washington State WinCo to get groceries on Saturday — that was until the store told him his parrot had to go.
Mitchell Slaugh said, “She’s my baby. She’s a companion, and she’s not just a pet.” She’s Slaugh’s emotional service animal. “I need her and she needs me.”
The parrot’s name is Kai, and Mitchell is registered to have her on his shoulder as his support system. He said, “We’re tied together”
Mitchell said, “I just went in there to grab a couple items for dinner and I had grabbed three of the five items I needed and one of the store clerks said I couldn’t have a pet in the store.” And when Mitchell explained it was a registered service animal, he realized there’s a loophole in the law.
Service animals in Washington are only described as dogs or small horses, making it legal to kick Mitchell and Kai out.
Mitchell said, “I have owned parrots for about seven years now and I have never been kicked out of anywhere for having a parrot with me.”
Mitchell has owned Kai for a year now. His wife, Mary Slaugh, can already see a change. She said, “Having an abnormal thing on his shoulder makes him a normal person”
A store manager confirmed the situation did happen. The WinCo corporate office has yet to comment.
Mitchell says he probably won’t be going back into WinCo, and hopes more people understand the feathers on his shoulder.
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