The legal battle centered around whether Ms. Lesser's parrots qualified as emotional support animals, leading to a significant ruling against the building's co-op board.
The settlement, with damages amounting to $165,000 and the purchase of Ms. Lesser's apartment for $585,000, sets a precedent for rights related to service animals.
Judge Jennifer H. Rearden acknowledged reasonable cause for discrimination and retaliation, emphasizing the importance of protecting residents' rights in mixed-use buildings.
This case marks the largest financial penalty ever imposed on a building for denying rights to service animals, highlighting a shift in legal interpretations.
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