|
PRESS
RELEASE Contact:
David Shapiro,
(561)
588-7487 West Palm Beach, FL . -- September 28, 2007. Citizens for Pets in Condos, a one-year-old organization working on a shoestring budget, is confronting association boards in Florida that are intent on expelling pets from private units. A string of abuses and harassment acts by the boards experienced by owners is a common occurrence in Florida, where 20% of the population lives in Condominiums.
Following, are a few examples as to what is happening in many condominiums.
Carol Tronolone of Sunrise, FL, states, ”Citizens for Pets in Condos helped us keep our dog. My husband, Anthony, a wounded World War II veteran, has been ill and the doctor recommended a ‘medical dog.’ I live in Sunrise Lakes Phase 3, Sunrise FL and the Condo president not only said no, but also has been nasty and rude to us about the whole episode. We finally won over the condominium, thanks to good advice from CFPIC.” Richard & Sheila Wengroff of Century Village, West Palm Beach, FL, are currently embroiled in a pet dispute with the President of their condominium Association, who has embarked on a campaign of harassment designed to force them to get rid of their dog Ozzie. They live in one of the no-pet buildings at the complex. He states, “ I have presented letters to the Board from three medical professionals, my doctor, a psychologist and a therapist, who are all in agreement that a companion animal would be beneficial in helping to ameliorate the problems I suffer.” But due to the Association Board’s refusal, his life is now filled with stress and tension, along with his wife who has suffered an emotional and physical breakdown.
Linda Schmidt of Fort Lauderdale, FL, Galt Ocean Mile declares, “I’m in bad shape. I was in a serious car accident and can no longer work, plus I have other serious personal problems. My doctor advised me to get an emotional support animal to calm me down, so I got a cat.” But now Linda is forced to contend with an antagonistic condo President who is “bombastic, nasty and mean spirited” because she refuses to get rid of her pet.” She states, “The work that Pets in Condos does is so important.”
Caryl Berner lives in Century Village East, Deerfield Beach, FL, and has gone through surgery for breast cancer. Her Oncologist suggested an animal for emotional support to concentrate on something beside herself. But, the President of the Board started an action against her. “I was scared and depressed, but I was advised by CFPIC to take the problem to the Federal level, which I did with a pro bono lawyer. The result was that I was allowed to keep two cats. My mental attitude has improved.” Another
single woman, Ethyl Tark, who has multiple disabilities, has also been
walked over by the people in charge at the Oriole Gulf & Tennis Phase
2 in Margate, FL. Her cat, Max, is a trained service animal, but the
cat’s accreditation and his licensing papers have mysteriously
disappeared from the office files. In the meantime, she received a letter
from management ordering her to get rid of the cat. “I
think it’s a vendetta because the President and the Board members all
have pets,” she explained. “But between Attorney General McCollum and
CFPC, I am able to keep Max, under very difficult circumstances.”
|
