Service Animals

That monkey on the subway? Illegal in the city, but not if the owner has a disability. The guy with the snake on the bus? Leave him alone. He needs it for emotional support. The Police Department Patrol Guide, a thick-and-getting-thicker collection of rules and regulations, has been amended to let officers know that seeing-eye dogs are not the only service animals. It is not just the blind who can have service animals, the Patrol Guide now says, but also those with epilepsy, heart disease, lung disease and other conditions, including mental disorders.

Question: I manage a 12-unit apartment complex with a strict no-pets policy. We understand that under federal and state fair housing law, we may need to make an exception to our no-pet policy for a disabled resident who requires a service animal as a reasonable accommodation. However, there is a resident at my apartment complex who has a visitor staying with her for a few weeks. The visitor has a dog that accompanies her everywhere and appears to be staying in the resident's apartment with her. When I asked the resident about the dog, she told me that her guest is disabled and that the dog is a service animal.

James Maaske gets mad when someone tells him, "Dogs are not allowed." Maaske, an epileptic who has frequent seizures, wants his service dog, Billy, beside him at all times. In the eight years he has had Billy, Maaske has trained the dog to guard him when he is having a seizure and revive him by licking his face. So he doesn't appreciate it when he is barred from bringing Billy into stores, hospitals, restaurants or buses.

The American Humane Assn., the group charged with overseeing the welfare of animals on television and film sets, has tapped a new board chairman. The charity said John Payne, who has served in top positions at Bayer Healthcare, Mars Global PetCare and Banfield Pet Hospitals, has been named chairman of the board of 136-year-old organization. A well-known figure in the animal wellness and welfare sphere, Payne has more than 30 years experience in the industry. PHOTOS: Hollywood backlot moments “It is an honor to be elected to the board of an organization with such a rich history of protecting society's most vulnerable,” Payne said in a statement.

Erma L. Miller struck her first blow for disability rights in 1997. She sued Coco's after one of its restaurants refused to serve her when she showed up with an assistance dog. Coco's settled the case, but Miller was just getting started. The Marriott hotel chain and a string of McDonald's restaurants, among other defendants, would soon feel her wrath.

The American Humane Assn., the group charged with overseeing the welfare of animals on television and film sets, has tapped a new board chairman. The charity said John Payne, who has served in top positions at Bayer Healthcare, Mars Global PetCare and Banfield Pet Hospitals, has been named chairman of the board of 136-year-old organization. A well-known figure in the animal wellness and welfare sphere, Payne has more than 30 years experience in the industry. PHOTOS: Hollywood backlot moments “It is an honor to be elected to the board of an organization with such a rich history of protecting society's most vulnerable,” Payne said in a statement.

Shawnine Mackay, who often sleeps on the street near Hollywood Boulevard by lowering herself out of her wheelchair onto the ground, said she would love to be able bed down in one of Los Angeles County's dozens of homeless shelters. But shelter workers have repeatedly turned her away because of her dog, Molly, who is trained to help her detect and cope with seizures.

Question: I live in the apartment next to a woman who is blind and has a seeing-eye guide dog. It barks for what seems to be hours at a time, especially late at night. I am losing sleep. Our manager says the woman is entitled to have a guide dog. He says he can't do anything about the dog's behavior because he would be sued for discrimination. Don't I have any rights in this situation? Answer: Your manager correctly understands that the fair housing laws protect tenants who have disabilities and who need service animals such as guide dogs to reasonably accommodate their disabilities.

Airline passengers can bring cats, monkeys and other animals aboard domestic flights on a case-by-case basis for emotional support, but not spiders, snakes or rats, the U.S. government said Friday. The Transportation Department revised guidelines defining a service animal, which until now had been limited to animals that help passengers to manage physical disabilities.

Question: I'm having a difficult time finding a place to rent, and I suspect it's because I'm disabled. What are my rights? Answer: First, it's important to know what federal law defines as disabled. According to Title 24 of the Code of Federal Regulations, a disability is "any physical or mental impairment which substantially limits one or more of a person's major life activities."

Goofy looks fearsome at first glance. He's a strapping Staffordshire bull terrier, with big teeth, a barrel chest and a baleful stare. But he waddles more than he swaggers. And when this pit bull jumps on a stranger, it's to deliver a slobbery kiss, not to rip an ear off. Juan Arevalo bought the dog as a puppy for his teenage son, who promptly lost interest in him. So, Goofy has been Arevalo's canine partner for the past four years. They walk or run together every day. "And I watch 'The Dog Whisperer' a lot," Arevalo said.

The landmark Americans With Disabilities Act of 1990 stated very clearly that people with disabilities had a right to take their service animals along with them wherever they went. But in retrospect, the law wasn't as clear as it might have been on one little point: What exactly is a service animal? The law termed it "any animal individually trained to do work or perform tasks for the benefit of a person with a disability" — but here was the rub: That seemed to imply that an elephant, just for instance, could make an excellent service animal.

Question: I live in the apartment next to a woman who is blind and has a seeing-eye guide dog. It barks for what seems to be hours at a time, especially late at night. I am losing sleep. Our manager says the woman is entitled to have a guide dog. He says he can't do anything about the dog's behavior because he would be sued for discrimination. Don't I have any rights in this situation? Answer: Your manager correctly understands that the fair housing laws protect tenants who have disabilities and who need service animals such as guide dogs to reasonably accommodate their disabilities.

Shawnine Mackay, who often sleeps on the street near Hollywood Boulevard by lowering herself out of her wheelchair onto the ground, said she would love to be able bed down in one of Los Angeles County's dozens of homeless shelters. But shelter workers have repeatedly turned her away because of her dog, Molly, who is trained to help her detect and cope with seizures.

That monkey on the subway? Illegal in the city, but not if the owner has a disability. The guy with the snake on the bus? Leave him alone. He needs it for emotional support. The Police Department Patrol Guide, a thick-and-getting-thicker collection of rules and regulations, has been amended to let officers know that seeing-eye dogs are not the only service animals. It is not just the blind who can have service animals, the Patrol Guide now says, but also those with epilepsy, heart disease, lung disease and other conditions, including mental disorders.

The City Council voted 14 to 1 Tuesday to pass an ordinance mandating that most pet dogs and cats in the city be sterilized at as early as 4 months. The dissenter was Councilman Bill Rosendahl, who commented a week and a half ago that he had problems with requiring that dogs be altered so young and that he believed the city should focus first on licensing more dogs. Exemptions will be available for animals of licensed breeders, show animals, service animals and those pets whose veterinarians believe the procedure too risky.

The City Council voted 14 to 1 Tuesday to pass an ordinance mandating that most pet dogs and cats in the city be sterilized at as early as 4 months. The dissenter was Councilman Bill Rosendahl, who commented a week and a half ago that he had problems with requiring that dogs be altered so young and that he believed the city should focus first on licensing more dogs. Exemptions will be available for animals of licensed breeders, show animals, service animals and those pets whose veterinarians believe the procedure too risky.

Question: I received a cat as a birthday gift, but my rental agreement says pets are not allowed. Over the last few months, new tenants have moved in with pets. I want to keep the cat. Should I discuss this matter with the on-site manager or the property owner, who signed the month-to-month agreement? Answer: The "no pet" policy may have changed since your tenancy began, or the pets for these tenants may have been allowed under the companion animals exception or if they are service animals.

The Los Angeles City Council voted 10 to 1 Friday to approve mandatory sterilization of most dogs and cats at the age of 4 months or older, and city officials pledged low-key enforcement driven by complaints. The ordinance must get a second reading in a week, but it is expected to pass. The measure, initiated by Councilman Richard Alarcon, offers exemptions for animals of licensed breeders, show animals and service animals.

A memorial service for animal rights activist and actress Gretchen Wyler, who died May 27, will be held at 4:30 p.m. June 23 at Paramount Studios in Los Angeles. The public is welcome, but RSVPs are required for the service at the Paramount Theater, 5555 Melrose Ave. Those interested may call (818) 501-2275, Ext. 20, and leave a name and phone number, or send e-mail to contact@ hsushollywood.org.