The consent decree announced Monday resolves a dispute between Meril Lesser and the board of the Rutherford, a 175-unit cooperative apartment, where Lesser lived with her emotional support parrots. Despite complaints from a neighbor, city inspectors found no excessive noise from the birds. Lesser had her psychiatrist's backing, emphasizing their necessity for her mental health, yet the cooperative sought her eviction, leading to this substantial settlement and illustrating a significant ruling for disabled tenants' rights.
Manhattan U.S. Attorney Damian Williams highlighted that the consent decree represents the largest recovery the federal government has ever obtained for a person with disabilities against a housing provider that denied their right to an assistance animal. This landmark decision reinforces the protection of individuals who rely on emotional support animals, indicating a shift towards stricter compliance with federal fair housing laws.
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