Woman battles condo association to keep dog

HALLANDALE, Fla. (WSVN) -- A South Florida woman is battling her condo association to keep her dog.

Beatrice Bossi said, after her husband died and her son was sent off to war she became depressed. Now all she has is her dog. But now she is being told to get rid of the animal.

In April, Beatrice's husband died. They were married for fifty years, and now she is all alone in her condo. "I'm sorry, I lost my best friend. I felt my life was over. I wanted to be with him," Beatrice said.

In August, she got a three-pound Chihuahua named Coco, but Beatrice lives in a condo that does not allow pets. "Why? If anybody needs companionship, it's the elderly. We're lonesome, we lose our mate after 50 years. What are we supposed to do? Go out and find somebody else? No. Something like Coco fills your days and nights," she revealed.

Beatrice said, after her husband died she was diagnosed with clinical depression. Her attorney said taking away the dog is a clear violation of the fair housing act. "It's illegal to discriminate against someone based on a physical or medical disability. She has a diagnosed medical condition," said David Strauss.

Beatrice's doctor wrote a letter to the association stating: "I am prescribing an emotional support animal that will assist Beatrice in coping with her disability."

The attorneys for the condo wrote a letter to Beatrice stating: "You failed to provide information as to how this particular dog's training differentiates it from any other dog." They went on to say, if the association wins the case, Beatrice will be responsible for attorney fees and costs incurred as a result of pursuing a violation.

For Beatrice, her only companion right now is Coco. "He's my little companion. He gives me a reason to wake up everyday. Someone to love and care about. He keeps me busy. He makes me happy," she said.

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