Butterfly world Stockton and abused:
Heartbroken After Today’s Experience at Butterfly World 💔
By Sarah Wingfield — Independent Disability Advocate
Today should have been a simple, gentle outing. Instead, it turned into one of the most humiliating and distressing experiences I’ve had in a long time.
We visited Butterfly World in Stockton-on-Tees, and while we were inside for roughly forty minutes, Bud stayed in the car. It was cool, the windows were open, the car was in the shade, and he had water. He was absolutely fine. But what wasn’t fine was how we were treated.
An employee named India approached us in a way that was shockingly unprofessional, laughing, openly speaking about us to others, and accusing us of animal cruelty. Her behaviour triggered an autistic meltdown in public — not because we had done anything wrong, but because of the hostile, mocking way the situation was handled.
Instead of assessing the situation properly, instead of placing a hand inside the car to feel the cool air, instead of speaking respectfully, she involved members of the public and publicly shamed us. That behaviour is never acceptable, especially towards disabled visitors who already face enough barriers just stepping into community spaces.
We left immediately. The humiliation, the false allegations, and the ganging-up mentality from those around her were too much. There is always a right way to speak to people, even when you believe you’re in the right. Instead, what we experienced was aggression, mockery, and hostility.
Nobody deserves to be bullied, least of all disabled individuals trying their best to engage with the world.
Nobody deserves to be publicly humiliated based on assumptions.
And nobody deserves to have their disability reactions weaponised against them.
I’ve formally complained to Butterfly World Ltd because behaviour like this should never be excused. Staff should be trained to act professionally, compassionately, and responsibly — especially when dealing with vulnerable or disabled visitors. If genuine concern for a dog’s welfare existed, she would have handled the situation entirely differently and involved the appropriate authorities rather than members of the public.
Update:
Since posting about my experience, India has now contacted me on my personal Facebook page to justify her actions and accuse me of slander. I welcome any investigation. I fully consent to CCTV being shared and have submitted a Subject Access Request to Butterfly World, with proof already emailed to customerservice@butterflygardens.com.
I remain heartbroken and shaken. Abuse, bullying, and public humiliation are never acceptable — especially when directed at disabled people who are simply trying to live their lives safely and peacefully.
Taking Bud for a walk now. He’s happy, healthy, and loved — as he always is. 🐾💖
#DisabilityAwareness #DisabilitySupport #KindnessNotAbuse #DogMomma #DogLover
Butterfly World Ltd — Stockton-on-Tees
