A routine bus ride turned violent when police officers arrested and allegedly assaulted a PTSD-suffering veteran who tried to board with his certified service dog, highlighting growing tensions over disability rights in Israel.
Koby Levi says officers ignored his service dog certification, handcuffed him, and threatened both him and his dog with a Taser after a bus driver in Bnei Brak refused him entry. The incident ended with Levi detained barefoot for five hours while his traumatized service dog, Morpheus, barely avoided being sent to a kennel.
"They didn't even let me explain," Levi told Walla news. "I showed them the official papers, told them about my PTSD, but they just handcuffed me and dragged me to the station."
The confrontation began when the bus driver refused to move while Levi and his dog remained aboard, despite being shown proper certification. When police arrived, witnesses say the situation quickly escalated.
Tel Aviv District Police Commander Maj.-Gen. Haim Sargrof has suspended the officers involved and launched an investigation. Both the police and Electra Afikim bus company have issued apologies, with the company promising additional staff training.
Levi, who declined the police chief's invitation to meet, remains shaken. "I was left powerless," he said. "I just hope no one else has to experience this."
JPost contributed to this article.
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