Condo board threatens to evict Toronto couple’s service dog: Reddit users weigh in

A Toronto couple says that their condo board is threatening to evict their service dog, according to an article published by CTV News Toronto.

Nala, the four-year-old golden retriever who might be getting the boot, is well over the board’s 20 lb pet restriction policy (she’s 50 lbs) but according to the article, the couple said there was “no mention of accommodation or inclusion for service animals in their bylaws.”

Varun Mutneja and his wife Samantha Periano told CTV News that because of this when they moved into the condo in July of 2022, they went out of their way to let the property manager know about Nala — who is registered with Service Dogs Canada and successfully completed the company’s training program —  and her significance as a service animal.

In the article, Muteneja says he even provided a note from his doctor and his therapist which stated that the dog is “necessary for his emotional and mental health and that Nala will mitigate the symptoms he is currently experiencing.”

According to Periana, the condo board is now “demanding” Muteneja’s personal medical records or “the corporation would file a complaint with the Condominium Authority Tribunal (CAT) to evict her.”

The article was posted on Reddit’s Toronto subreddit  and people were quick to weigh in on the validity of Nala’s service dog title, with some users going so far as to say the golden retriever might be a “fake” service dog.

Another user, epeacecraft appears to question the validity of the training program provided by the Service Dogs Canada organization.

“That is an emotional support animal not service dog,” said another user.

Real estate lawyer Bob Aron told CTV News Toronto, that Muteneja “is entitled to an accommodation on the basis of his disability,” and  that “this is a matter of principle. He’s entitled to accommodation. The Human Rights Act prevails.”

Article exclusive to STREETS OF TORONTO