Emotional Support Animals: Fair Housing or Fraudulent Hideout?
A Florida man recently demanded that a no-pet condominium association permit his “emotional support parrots.” He would walk around the pool area with the parrots on his shoulder like a pirate. A woman tried to board an airplane in Orlando with her “emotional support squirrel.” The airport in Newark was the scene of a New Jersey woman trying to fly with her “emotional support peacock.” Some people believe that an emotional support animal is a legitimate concept. Others think that they are just a scam used by clever owners to get around valid pet rules and fees. In any event, if you think there ought to be a law, then please know that there is a law, at least as it relates to housing. What is the Law? The Fair Housing Act (FHA), is a sweeping federal law that prohibits discrimination in housing. Landlords and associations are required to make “reasonable accommodations” to allow assistance animals. Accordingly, owners of so-called “emotional support animals” are protected under t...