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Woman sues Champion landlords over denial of service dog
By Ed Runyan
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, the suit says.
Dickson filed a complaint with the Ohio Civil Rights Commission on Sept. 16, 2015, alleging the Pernices failed to provide a reasonable accommodation, the suit says.
The nonprofit Fair Housing Advocates Association filed a charge with the Ohio Civil Rights Commission five days later alleging the Pernices illegally discriminated against Dickson, the suit says.
The Ohio Civil Rights Commission conducted a preliminary investigation and determined in February this year there was probable cause the Pernices engaged in or were engaging in unlawful practices, the suit says.
In July, Dickson authorized the attorney general’s office to pursue legal action, the suit says.
The suit seeks an injunction that would restrain the Pernices from engaging in unlawful discrimination. It also seeks damages of at least $25,000, as well as for the Pernices to pay the FHAA for its damages and costs.
No phone listing for the Pernices could be found to contact them to comment. The suit is assigned to Judge Andrew Logan.