(ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER) What should have been a joyful moment turned to sadness when a 7-year-old autistic girl was turned away by Santa Claus at The Shops at Mission Viejo on Sunday afternoon.
St. Nick was apparently afraid of her service dog, a 5-year-old pit bull.
Abcde Santos, who pronounces her first name “ab-suh-dee,” and her service dog Pup-Cake stood in line for 30 minutes to see Santa Claus, said Julie Miller, a family friend and service animal advocate. The shopping center hosts visits with Kris Kringle for its holiday festivities.
