Dragons Den entrepreneur Deborah Meaden is calling on businesses obey the law by opening their doors to deaf people with highly-trained hearing dogs.

Businesses are required - in compliance with the Equality Act 2010 - to allow hearing dogs onto their premises and Ms Meaden is supporting Hearing Dogs for Deaf People to ensure this is enforced using their ‘Who Lets the Dogs In?’ campaign.

According to a recent survey by the Saunderton-based charity, 70% of deaf people with hearing dogs have been denied entry on the UK high street.

Respondents of the survey claimed that restaurants, shops and cafes were the worst offenders and reasons cited included ‘hygiene’ and a concern the dog would cause a disruption.

The Dragon said: “Being turned away from a shop or restaurant with a hearing dog can be a humiliating experience.

“That’s why it is important that businesses are aware of their legal obligation to welcome disabled people with assistance dogs.

“Highly-trained hearing dogs offer a lifeline to deaf people by alerting them to sounds they cannot hear, such as the fire alarm in a public building or a smoke alarm in the kitchen.

“These intelligent dogs give their owners the support and confidence needed to live an independent life, and are easily recognisable by the identifiable jacket and lead slip they wear in public places.”

Hearing Dogs for Deaf People say the dogs go through a rigorous 18 month training programme in which they are trained to toilet on command, lie quietly on the floor in a restaurant or café, and taught not to wander freely around the premises.

For more information on the charity’s ‘Who Lets the Dogs In?’ campaign, please visit www.hearingdogs.org.uk/access.