Nothing gets under a landlord’s skin like a fake service animal. This morning I had a call from a member who has a problem with a new renter. Less than 3 weeks ago the renter moved into a condo where the landlord doesn’t allow pets. The neighbors complained to the landlord that the new tenant has a dog in violation of the rules and that the dog has been barking at all hours. When the landlord called the renter she claimed that it’s a therapy dog and that the landlord has to allow it. I believe this is a perfect example of a fake service animal. The tenant didn’t ask for a reasonable accommodation due to a disability, she simply got caught with an unauthorized animal and by claiming it’s a therapy animal she feels she can intimidate the landlord into having to accept it by threatening a fair housing lawsuit. Today 19 states have enacted laws cracking down on people who try to pass their pets off as service animals and its time for Utah to follow suit.
https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/2017/10/29/several-states-crack-down-fake-service-animals/80767Published: Dec. 30, 2017
