Animals & Pets

April 4, 2019

HOA Violates the Fair Housing Act by Denying a Service Animal in the Clubhouse

In Sanzaro v Ardiente Homeowners Association, et. al., Docket No. 2:11-CV0-1143-RFB-CWH, 2019 WL 1049380 (D Nev, March 5, 2019), a federal court imposed a judgment of $350,000 in compensatory damages, $285,000 in punitive damages and awarded the plaintiffs attorney’s fees and costs against their homeowners association.  Based upon the facts of the case, the court determined that the homeowners association…
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December 11, 2017

Michigan Senate Bill 663: Michigan Cracks Down on Fake Emotional Support Animals

On November 28, 2017, Senator Peter MacGregor introduced Senate Bill 663, which would criminalize a fake request for an emotional support animal or service animal. Requests for emotional support animals and service animals continue to increase under the Federal Fair Housing Act and the Michigan Persons with Disabilities Civil Rights Act, MCL 37.1101 et seq. While a legitimate request for an emotional…
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August 28, 2017

Prohibiting and Handling “Dangerous Animals” in an Association

Pet restrictions are a perennial topic of interest in Michigan and consistently one of the most discussed, debated and reviewed provisions in the condominium bylaws.  For example, some condominium bylaws prohibit "dangerous animals" from being brought to the condominium or kept on the condominium premises.
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