Apartment banning seeing eye dog.... (lease, condo, lawyer)

[rkburk]

My disabled brother lives in the area and has been told that the seeing eye dog of his girlfriend (who is also disabled and moving in to his place) is not allowed in the building. Is this legal since she is blind? Is it because she is not an owner of the unit like he is? It seems like discrimination but I am unsure of the homeowner/condo rules in this area. Any input would be helpful....

[Off Topic]

What a jerk. As if anyone could object to this.

I sure thought seeing-eye dogs were exempt from these requirements. It seems like a violation of the Americans With Disabilities Act, but that might be for just public accommodations.

Dogs > Dogs Helping People > Assistance Dogs

There are a ton of resources here, including some stuff about Fair Housing Laws, although again, that might just cover state and local public housing:

Brief Information Resource on Assistance Animals for the Disabled

Here's another good article:
AWIC Newsletter: Federal Policies on Access for Service Animals

If you call your local Bar Association, many of them have a program where you can talk to an attorney who concentrates in this area. Most of them call it a Lawyer Referral System and usually you get 30 minutes for free.

Good luck!!

[annacolleen]

I believe that a service animal must be permitted everywhere in the U.S. I take mine on airlines,trains, and into restaurants, grocery stores, and anywhere I go, he goes. On his tags that he wears, it states that to deny him entrance, is discrimination. I would call the U.S. Justice Dept. at;1-800-514-0301. They can answer pretty much anything.
ON THE BACK OF HIS TAGS IS PRINTED:Under the ADA, privately owned businesses that serve the public such as restaurants, retail stores, taxi cabs, theatres, concert halls, sports facilities, are prohibited from discriminating against individuals with disabilities. The ADA requires these businesses to allow people with disabilities to bring their service animals onto business premises in whatever areas customers are generally allowed.
The ADA defines a service animal as any guide dog,signal dog,or other animal trained to provide assistance to an individual with a disability. If they meet this definition, animals are considered service animals under the ADA,regardless of whether they have been licensed or certified by a state or local government.
questions about transportation? call DOT at 1-202-366-5960
I hope everyone will read these guidelines! We need our service dogs to live independent lives, and to go where normal people go!

[dkf747]

Originally Posted by rkburk

Is it because she is not an owner of the unit like he is? .

It is illegal, but they are hoping the above is a loophole.

[MMichelle]

Plain and simple - a service animal is not a pet - pet rules do not apply.
Be sure they know the dog is a service animal - you might call the management and let them know. If for some crazy reason they still say the animal is not allow - remind them of the ADA and inform them you will contact an attorney. Then call the ACLU.
Case closed!

[PenguinSix]

It is a violation of the Fair Housing Amendments Act

AWIC Newsletter: Federal Policies on Access for Service Animals

[Legs1357]

Is it an apartment or condo? Because if was an apartment wouldn't she have to be put on the lease though because she's above the age of 18? But yes, I've always seen seeing-eye dogs exempted from all no-pets-allowed statements. I would definitely inquire with ACLU or some other appropriate authority if it came down to that.