The old saying goes, “Justice is for just us that can afford it.” However, this is not true when it comes to enforcing your service animal rights.
You do not need to hire an attorney to enforce your rights or to take legal action against any individual or establishment if your service dog has been denied entry into any housing, workplace, or retail establishment.
The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) can and does take legal action against property managers, landlords, schools, or establishments that refuse to admit a service dog. The DOJ enforces the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), which includes protections for individuals who use service animals.
Legal Actions and Consequences:
- Investigation and Mediation: If a complaint is filed with the DOJ regarding discrimination against a person with a service dog, the DOJ may investigate the claim. They may attempt to resolve the issue through mediation or by reaching a settlement agreement.
- Lawsuits: If mediation fails or if the violation is severe, the DOJ can file a lawsuit in federal court against the property manager, landlord, school, or establishment. These lawsuits can seek injunctive relief (requiring the entity to change its policies), monetary damages for the person harmed, and civil penalties.
- Notable Cases: The DOJ has successfully taken action in various cases where entities refused to allow service dogs. These actions have resulted in settlements, changes in policies, and penalties. For example, cases involving landlords refusing to allow service dogs have led to significant settlements and mandatory training on ADA compliance for the involved parties.
Example of DOJ Action:
In 2015, the DOJ filed a lawsuit against an apartment complex in Grand Rapids, Michigan, for refusing to accommodate a tenant with a service dog. The lawsuit resulted in a settlement where the apartment complex had to pay damages to the tenant and adopt policies to ensure compliance with the ADA going forward.
Filing a Complaint:
Individuals who experience discrimination related to a service dog can file a complaint with the DOJ’s Civil Rights Division. The DOJ encourages the resolution of such matters but is fully empowered to take legal action when necessary.
For more information on how the DOJ handles service animal complaints and their enforcement authority, you can visit the DOJ’s official ADA.gov website.
The old saying goes, “Justice is for just us that can afford it.” However, this is not true when it comes to enforcing your service animal rights.
You do not need to hire an attorney to enforce your rights or to take legal action against any individual or establishment if your service dog has been denied entry into any housing, workplace, or retail establishment.
The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) can and does take legal action against property managers, landlords, schools, or establishments that refuse to admit a service dog. The DOJ enforces the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), which includes protections for individuals who use service animals.
Legal Actions and Consequences:
- Investigation and Mediation: If a complaint is filed with the DOJ regarding discrimination against a person with a service dog, the DOJ may investigate the claim. They may attempt to resolve the issue through mediation or by reaching a settlement agreement.
- Lawsuits: If mediation fails or if the violation is severe, the DOJ can file a lawsuit in federal court against the property manager, landlord, school, or establishment. These lawsuits can seek injunctive relief (requiring the entity to change its policies), monetary damages for the person harmed, and civil penalties.
- Notable Cases: The DOJ has successfully taken action in various cases where entities refused to allow service dogs. These actions have resulted in settlements, changes in policies, and penalties. For example, cases involving landlords refusing to allow service dogs have led to significant settlements and mandatory training on ADA compliance for the involved parties.
Example of DOJ Action:
In 2015, the DOJ filed a lawsuit against an apartment complex in Grand Rapids, Michigan, for refusing to accommodate a tenant with a service dog. The lawsuit resulted in a settlement where the apartment complex had to pay damages to the tenant and adopt policies to ensure compliance with the ADA going forward.
Filing a Complaint:
Individuals who experience discrimination related to a service dog can file a complaint with the DOJ’s Civil Rights Division. The DOJ encourages the resolution of such matters but is fully empowered to take legal action when necessary.
For more information on how the DOJ handles service animal complaints and their enforcement authority, you can visit the DOJ’s official ADA.gov website.
