5/30/13 - Representatives promoting the Fair Housing Act paid a visit to the Fenton City Council last night to make a case for a pot-bellied pig named Eli living within the cityâs borders. Eli lives in the city as a therapy animal for a young girl with autism. Legal Services of Eastern Michigan Director of Fair Housing Patricia Baird tells WHMI she addressed the council because a newspaper article had led her to believe the city had ordered the family to get rid of the animal, which could have been a violation of the FHA. When she began to speak, however, council members informed her that they had not banned the pig, and in fact they had not taken any action on the issue yet. City attorney Stephen Schultz tells WHMI the city had only just received information on the issue and is still considering what can and should be done at this time. Baird and her associates took the opportunity to discuss some of the laws pertaining to service animals and the provisions in the Fair Housing Act to protect them. She provided contact information and paperwork on the subject to help the city address the issue. She says legally the pig is like any other piece of equipment used by people to overcome disabilities, and she suggested that the city amend its zoning ordinance to make special provision for service animals. Council members expressed gratitude for her advice and expertise. (TD)
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