Article
and Video Courtesy of Bay News 9
By
Melissa Eichman
Published
January 24, 2011
|
Watch
VIDEO
|
OLDSMAR -- A
woman from Oldsmar is suing her homeowner's association in order to keep
her pets.
Kathleen
Klein says she has a prescription for the animals and
doesn't want to get rid of them.
Klein
suffers from heart and blood conditions and fibromyalgia
and says her animals are more than just companions.
"As
I pet them and take care of them my blood pressure goes
down, it drops quite a few points," Klein said. |
|
|
Klein
says she was upset when her homeowner's association warned her she was
violating the one-pet policy. She says she disclosed her pet ownership
when she moved in to Gull Aire Village 10 years ago, and wasn't confronted
about it until recently.
"They
told me I could only have one animal," said Klein.
"Either I and the whole household have to leave, or I
have to get rid of two of my animals."
After facing numerous fines, she
hired attorney John Shahan to sue the association.
"She medically is allowed to
have those animals under federal law," said Shahan.
"And that whatever the one-pet policy is, these are
not quote 'pets,' they are medical-assistance animals and
federal case law, tons of federal case law, shows that
they have to waive that rule." |
|
|
Klein has a letter from her doctor defending her pet
prescription.
In a letter from Dr. Danny Fox, he states, "As
they are not mere 'pets,' they are intended to be a permanent part of her
treatment and support system and they should not be separated from
them."
Klein says she doesn't
want to get rid of her pets and doesn't really want to
move, but she is selling her home.
"If I didn't have my pets, I'd
be in bed with depression, probably crying, very
upset," she said.
The homeowner's association's
attorney says since the case is pending litigation, he
would not comment. |
|
|
|