Shamed for not wearing mask after dog attack
Pharmacy investigates after mum ‘shouted at’ by staff
‘I was in tears and ended up having a panic attack outside’
A mum recovering from surgery to reattach her nose after a dog attack says a trip to the pharmacy left her in tears after staff refused to serve her for not wearing a face mask.
Shereen Mawson from West Malling has spent the last two weeks at home recovering after intervening in a dog fight in Leybourne Lakes Country Park. As the 36-year-old, who runs a horse livery yard and rescues animals for a living, was helping her friend clean her terrier’s wounds she tilted the pooch’s head back to examine its injuries, only to get a savage bite which nearly tore her nose off. It left her in tremendous pain and in need of stitches.
Miss Mawson says her nose is still so sore that it is difficult to wear a face covering, meaning she is currently exempt for medical reasons.
But upon visiting Catts Pharmacy in Snodland for painkillers
last Wednesday, the mother-offour claimed she was yelled at by a member of staff.
Miss Mawson said: “I walked into the shop and one of the ladies literally shouted at me to get out because I didn’t have a mask on. I said ‘I’m really sorry’
and I tried to explain to her why I couldn’t wear one.
“My stitches are so visible and she was just so rude I couldn’t believe it.
“Then the member of staff said she could serve me outside and I said ‘okay that’s absolutely fine’. “When she found out I was paying by card she then refused me again and at that point I became so overwhelmed I literally bawled my eyes out. I was in tears and ended up having a panic attack outside because I was so embarrassed.”
In the end she went to another chemist for the medicine. Catts Pharmacy, run by Paydens, has apologised and launched an investigation into the incident but denies its staff were rude.
Miss Mawson added: “I didn’t want to go out in the first place but I was in so much pain I had to. I have serious anxiety so it really knocked my confidence. “I wish I could wear a mask because I understand how important they are but I physically can’t have any pressure on it. I’ve not left my house since that Wednesday.”