This episode of the Common Interest Podcast features Laura Marinelli, from Saul Ewing Arnstein & Lehr LLP.
Laura shares a story about a unit owner that registers his large breed puppy with the association as a pet, but then claims it’s an Emotional Support Animal when the dog soon grows larger than the weight limit the association’s rules allow for pets. Emotional Support Animals and Service Animals are exempt from association rules that would apply to pets, but the real question is whether or not this animal is actually an ESA. Navigating this fine line can be difficult for a board, but Laura’s story can help shed light on how a board was able to determine whether the dog was a pet that got too big, or an actual ESA.
Is it an Emotional Support Animal?
Laura Marinelli from Saul Ewing Arnstein & Lehr LLP shares a story about a puppy that was identified as a “Pet” to the Condo Association, which suddenly became an “Emotional Support Animal” when he exceeded the Association’s weight restriction for pets. The request for accommodation seemed to have some red flags. Hear how the board handled this difficult situation.
New episodes will be available for download every 1st and 3rd Tuesday, listen to them in your favorite Podcast app or listen to them here in the CAI Illinois Blog. The Common Interest Podcast is now available for free download from several podcast directories, including:
If you have a story you’d like to share on the Common Interest Podcast, contact Brandon at the CAI Illinois office – [email protected] or (847)301-7505 for more information on how you can get involved.
CAI - Illinois Chapter
The Illinois Chapter of Community Associations Institute serves the educational, business, and networking needs of community associations in the Chicagoland Area. Members include condominium, cooperative, and homeowner...
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Cheryl Murphy 
