Discrimination lawsuit filed against Champion couple

WARREN — The Ohio Attorney General’s Office and Ohio Civil Rights Commission have filed a lawsuit in Trumbull County Common Pleas Court saying two rental property managers refused to accommodate a woman with a disability.

The woman, Jessica Dickson, uses a dog to help with her sleeping disability. The landlords, Erin and Daniel Pernice, both of 813 Dalton Road in Champion, however, refused to allow her to have a dog in the home she was renting on Main Street in Cortland, the suit says.

Dickson entered into a lease with the Pernices on March 1, 2015. After Dickson obtained a dog to provide support for her emotional disabilities, the Pernices threatened to evict her if she didn’t remove the dog, the suit says.

Dickson offered to provide medical documentation of her need for the animal, but the Pernices refused to accept the documentation or further discuss the matter, the suit says. The Pernices began eviction proceedings against Dickson on Oct. 6, 2015.