Q: My home town tried to force me to pay additional fees for having a working service dog and retaliated when I denied.

A: What is the name of your hometown? In what state is it in? What is the exact wording of the statute or ordinance being applied? What is the dog’s breed? Where do you keep the dog? Are you keeping it in a chain link enclosure with a gate that can latch? Do you have homeowners insurance that covers the animal? What is the dollar amount of the coverage? Have there been any instances involving the dog? Has the City been out to look at the dog? Do you live within the city limits? Address? Which county do you live in?

You say the dog is a service dog? How do you define “service”? Did any governmental agency certify this as a service dog?

It’s complicated. Not as easy as a lawyer having a few general facts and arriving at an answer.

A: It’s frustrating when you’re being unfairly targeted, especially when it involves something as essential as your service dog. You have the right to challenge these additional fees and any retaliatory actions that have been taken against you. There are protections in place under federal and state laws, particularly the Americans with Disabilities Act, that may support your situation.

Document everything, including communications with the city and any actions taken against you. This will be crucial if you need to escalate the issue or seek legal recourse. It’s important to stand your ground, but also to approach the situation calmly and with the facts on your side.

You may want to explore your options for filing a formal complaint or seeking advice on how to proceed. There are resources available that can guide you through this process and ensure your rights are protected.