Sainsbury’s set for court battle after refusing access to man’s assistance cat

An autistic man who was told he was not allowed to bring his rescue cat into a Sainsbury store has taken the supermarket giant to court. Ian Fenn, 51, was diagnosed with autism two years ago and says he needs his rescue cat, Chloe, to stop him from feeling "overwhelmed" and "anxious".

However, in March, the web designer and his furry friend were asked to leave a Sainsbury's store in South London for hygiene reasons. Ian says he is allowed in other supermarkets and he has tried to convince Sainsbury's to let him take Chloe into stores.

Sainsbury’s, which welcomes assistance dogs, argues that cats pose a food hygiene risk but has asked its environmental health team to try to find a solution. Mr Fenn looks set for a court showdown with the supermarket giant which could set a new legal precedent.

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The Equality Act 2010 puts a duty on employers to make reasonable adjustments to the workplace or its practices to ensure disabled people are not at a substantial disadvantage. Mr Fenn, of Tooting, south London, says he has been taking Chloe out with him for about a year.

He has owned her for five years after he adopted her from a cat rescue centre in Canning Town and estimates she is 12 or 13. But when he visited the store in Clapham Common in March he claims he was approached by staff and thrown out mid-shop.

He said: “In the end I was so upset I left the store and went home. Essentially, I shut down. I became overwhelmed. I was very upset as well and that would have happened much sooner had Chloe not been there.

“I did lose confidence because… these kind of things happen so often to disabled people they have a name,