Justice Department responds to Florida service animal complaint
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November 22, 2025

The Justice Department reached an agreement under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) with The Pawn Shop and Tax Service, Inc., (The Pawn Shop) in Pensacola, Florida to resolve a complaint under title III of the ADA. The Department’s investigation found that the manager of The Pawn Shop asked a veteran who uses a service dog to leave because the manager mistakenly believed the dog was a pet, not a service dog. Public accommodations must permit Individuals who use service dogs, including veterans with disabilities who use service dogs for disabilities such as post-traumatic stress disorder, anxiety, or mobility disabilities, into their establishments.

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Service dogs dilemma: ‘Loads of fakes’ detrimental to legitimate helper animals
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November 22, 2025

People have become emboldened to bring their pets along on public outings thanks to legal gray areas and widespread availability of service animal insignia. People are emboldened to bring their pets along on public outings thanks to legal gray areas and widespread availability of service animal insignia. “If you go anywhere on the internet you can buy a vest,” said Severt.

“If you Google ‘service dogs,’ the first thing that comes up is a registry. It’s totally bogus.” Yet pet owners purchase a certificate and claim they “have paperwork” when questioned, she said.

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Landlord fined $15,000 after denying renter’s emotional support animal
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November 22, 2025

A New York landlord has been slapped with a $15,000 fine to settle a discrimination case involving a mentally ill tenant and her emotional support animal, according to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.

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Restaurateur could face $42K in fines for refusing service animals
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November 22, 2025

A Manhattan restaurateur could be facing $42,000 in fines for refusing to welcome service animals at his eateries, according to legal documents.

Staffers at Limon Jungle and Intermezzo, among the eateries owned by Besim Kukaj, allegedly balked at making the federally mandated concessions to the handicapped, kicking off a battle with the city’s Office of Administrative Trials and Hearings.

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Landlord to pay $1M in emotional support animal lawsuit
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November 22, 2025

MEEKER, Colo. – Residents with disabilities using the Meeker Housing Authority won a discrimination lawsuit for $1 million. The suit was filed after their landlord told them their emotional support animals would not be allowed without paying an additional pet fee.

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5 Things to Consider Before Judging Fake Service Dogs
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November 22, 2025

The more people learn about the invaluable work of service dogs, the more they develop good intentions for condemning the fakes.

By definition, a service dog is trained to perform tasks that relate to its handler’s disability, like alerting the handler to an upcoming seizure.

Listening to the common criticisms of fake service dogs, you’d think the problem is simple: Some dog owners are just inconsiderate.

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Department of Transportation Will Let Airlines Ban Emotional Support Snakes And Rodents
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November 22, 2025

DOT listened to all of the stakeholders, reviewed the law, and laid out guidelines that will allow airlines to balance their operational needs, the comfort needs of all passengers, while ensuring that restrictions put in place don’t preclude having mental health needs met.

While that may not mean the end of passengers getting bitten by poorly controlled and vicious animals, it allows some controls to be put in place that may reduce the frequency and severity of incidents.

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Blind men say they were ‘accosted’ by animal rights activist for using guide dogs
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November 22, 2025

Patel told Unilad that the unruly woman was shouting that Patel and his friend were “absolutely cruel” for having guide dogs and even suggested that the men were equivalent to people who organize dog fights.

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