Sawt Falasteen - Assistance-dog dispute puts Great Bernera community groups under financial strain

Two community organisations on Great Bernera in Scotland’s Outer Hebrides say they face serious financial pressure from a legal dispute involving Claire Kellerman, the adopted daughter of the late M*A*S*H actor Sally Kellerman. The case concerns whether Kellerman’s Australian cattle dog, Tarkina, should have been admitted to a community-run cafe as an assistance dog.

Kellerman, 62, moved to the Isle of Lewis in 2023 and later settled on Great Bernera, which has about 250 residents. She said staff ordered her out of the Bernera Community Association cafe in Breaclete because dogs were prohibited. After an apology was not provided, she brought a disability-discrimination action under the Equality Act 2010. The case is scheduled at Stornoway Sheriff Court next February, and she is receiving legal aid.

Kellerman said she has been permanently disabled since October 27, 2015, and accused residents of mounting a hostile campaign against her. She rejected claims that she had used the dog or legal correspondence to intimidate businesses and said a person need not visibly appear disabled to have legal protection.

Local shopkeepers described her conduct as aggressive and threatening. Her lawyers initially filed against the similarly named Great Bernera Community Development Trust, which incurred a £7,500 bill before succeeding in court. The trust could not recover the money because Kellerman had legal-aid protection. The Bernera Community Association has raised more than £20,000, but a source estimated it could need at least £60,000 if it wins and twice that amount if it loses.

Labour member of the Scottish Parliament Donald MacKinnon asked the Scottish Legal Aid Board to review its decision, citing the potential effect on a small rural charity. The board said the application was handled under its rules and guidance.

Kellerman is the biological daughter of Sally Kellerman’s sister Diana and Scottish academic Ian Graham. Sally Kellerman adopted her after Graham developed Parkinson’s disease; he died in 1976 shortly before Claire’s 11th birthday. Kellerman later trained dogs, worked in land management in Maui and pursued music and spiritual healing before moving to Scotland. She said childhood separation and later family deaths contributed to her condition.

I.Matar--SF-PST