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Resolved complaint (32) about assistance animal discrimination in accommodation

Learn how a complaint (32) about assistance animal discrimination in accommodation was resolved through conciliation.

Disability rights Conciliation register entry

Summary

  • Year: 2021
  • Relevant Act: Disability Discrimination Act
  • Grounds: Assistance animal; Disability
  • Area(s): Accommodation; Goods, services and facilities
  • Settlement terms:
    • Statement of regret - public

About the complaint

The complainant has psychosocial disability, including post-traumatic stress disorder, anxiety and depression, and has an assistance dog. The complainant owned an apartment and alleged the body corporate did not recognise his dog as an assistance animal. He said the body corporate's newsletter said only guide dogs would be permitted to access communal areas. The complainant alleged the on-site manager refused to give him access to the pool area to toilet his dog and said words to the effect that ‘there is no way that three-month old puny is a registered assistance dog'.

On being advised of the complaint the respondents indicated a willingness to participate in conciliation. 

The complaint was resolved with an agreement that the body corporate express its regret for the events giving rise to the complaint at a meeting of the body corporate.

Guidance on the use of these summaries

This is a summary of a selected complaint that has been resolved through our conciliation process. It's designed to help people better understand how complaints might be resolved and what outcomes are possible.

These summaries are for general guidance only and are not legal advice. If you need advice about your situation, you should seek independent legal support.

Please note:

  • all complaints are de-identified
  • complaints are resolved on a 'without admission of liability' basis
  • some content may include confronting or offensive language.

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