NY AG Squeezes $3K From Landlord To Settle Allegations That Disabled Vet Was Refused Rental Apartment Because He Had Assistance Animal To Help Alleviate PTSD Symptoms

From the Office of the New York Attorney General:

• Attorney General Eric T. Schneiderman [] announced a settlement with Katherine and George Hubbell and their real estate holding companies to require them to immediately stop denying assistance animals to disabled tenants.
  
  “Service animals provide a level of comfort and security to individuals with disabilities, greatly improving their lives,” Attorney General Schneiderman said. “My office will continue fighting to defend the rights of New Yorkers with disabilities and enforce the laws that protect them.”
  
  The Attorney General received a complaint from a disabled veteran who suffers from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and has a dog to help alleviate some of the symptoms associated with PTSD. He sought to rent at the Northway Apartments on upper Margaret Street for himself and his assistance animal. He made it clear to Northway that he is disabled and needs the animal to help with the disability. Northway owner Katherine Hubbell responded, “We do not accept pets. Thank you for your interest,” and refused to rent to him.
  
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  The AG’s agreement with the Hubbells and their companies requires them to adopt a written policy for accommodating the disabled, to instruct their staff about assistance animals, and to inform tenants and prospective tenants of their rights. The Hubbells must also pay to the Attorney General $3,000, up to half of which may be used by the AG to compensate individuals whose disabilities were not properly accommodated.

Source: A.G. Schneiderman Announces Settlement To Require Plattsburgh Landlord To Allow Disabled Tenants To Keep Assistance Animals (Katherine And George Hubbell, Owners Of Northway Apartments Must Accommodate Disabled Individuals’ Assistance Animals; Pay $3K Fine).