by as published on King5.com
“It is pretty clear cut. There shouldn’t be a problem, because any city should be modifying it’s rules if they affect people with a disability,”
Tim Fulton of Benton City is fighting the city to keep his service animal, a Shetland Pony. (Photo: KING)
A dispute over disability rights is underway in Eastern Washington, where a Benton City man says the city has denied him the use of his service animal.
Tim Fulton uses what he describes as a miniature horse named Fred to complete the daily walks he says his doctor ordered to strengthen his lungs and prolong his life.
“I fall down from time to time,” Fulton said. “It’s really a pain.”
Fred is slightly taller than a large dog, but Fulton says, he is exponentially stronger, which gives Fulton the added stability he needs.
Fulton said he has had multiple surgeries, a cancer scare, cataracts, two detached retinas, and a PTSD diagnosis, leaving him barely able to see or stand for long periods of time.
“He would feel me start to waiver and he would pull in front of me and stop, and I would lean against him,” Fulton said. “Fred does a lot of stuff for me, helps me out.”
Because Benton City doesn’t allow horses in residential zones, it issued Fulton a $100 violation and demanded he relocate the animal.
“They violated my human rights, they violated my civil rights, and they violated the 13th amendment,” Fulton said.
“That is discrimination, and the city is violating the federal law designed to protect someone with a disability,” said David Carlson, director of legal advocacy at Disability Rights Washington. “There are good reasons why someone might use a small horse as a service animal and if someone does that you can’t say well you can’t live in our town.” – (CONTINUED)
http://www.king5.com/news/local/man-fighting-benton-city-for-right-to-use-service-horse/413749117
Categories: Horse News, The Force of the Horse
Straight from the Horse's Heart 
Yeah. I read this..that mayor is something else.
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We have found service animals come in all shapes and sizes. Just yesterday some airlines were complaining about the varieties showing up on air planes. Personally I enjoy animals on a flight. I don’t care if its a chicken, marmaset money or a kangaroo! But this city needs to wake up because they are finding equines have real need in healing. I have said it many times the outside of a horse is the best thing for the inside of a human. I don’t believe a large dog could help a man up. The Shetland would seem better at holding the man up. I agree its splitting hairs on a mini horse and the Shetland. The city needs to give it up and let the man have his Shetland if that provides his support. Its only going to cost the people of the community the cost of attorneys fees and court costs if they fight this. It is a waste of time Upsetting this man and his pony!
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So the city would be OK with a miniature horse – just not a “large” shetland pony! I really doubt they can win with that kind of reply!
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This stinks from start to finsih, we need to help our disabled persons not do this to them, when are your hearts?
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