Finally! John and I were wondering when this was gonna go down!
Please DO cross post this news!
Denver and Aurora were both been informed yesterday of a class action lawsuit to be filed in U.S. District Court, state of Colorado for violation of the Americans with Disabilities Act. A restraining order was also requested and and an order granted (3/11/10) to prevent either city from discriminating against disabled persons having service dogs of a banned breed in their cities. One person named in the lawsuit is a disabled gulf war veteran whose service dog is a registered UKC American Pit Bull Terrier. Doug Kelly, Manager of Denver Animal Control, refused to license the dog and told the owner he could either get rid of the dog or move out of Denver. The dog was licensed in previous residences in California and Arizona as a service dog. Another veteran who owns a house in Aurora had his pit bull mix seized by animal control as a banned breed, despite his pleas that it was his service dog. The dog was only released from the pound upon his agreeing to send the dog out of the city of Aurora and pay fines. This person can't afford to sell his home and move, but he needs his service dog with him. A friend is keeping her east of Aurora but this veteran has been denied his right to his service dog in his home. He must depend on friends to help him and visits to his service dog to try and keep his life stable. Both these veterans have written prescriptions from their VA doctors for the dogs. Another disabled person who wanted to stay in Denver with her American Pit Bull Terrier while visiting her sister in the city and attending UKC events in the area was told by Doug Kelly, Manager of Denver Animal Control, in no uncertain terms that he would not be issuing her any permit for her service dogs. Wake up Denver and Aurora! You cannot deny people their service dogs no matter what breed they are. You are breaking federal law and now it will come back to bite you in the posterior!
More updates as this lawsuit progresses. Permission granted to cross post. We want the word to get out!
Linda Hart
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