Co-Op City plans to review its pet policy after the city’s Human Rights Commission found it had discriminated against a tenant with a certified psychiatric disability who wanted to keep a dog.
The city’s largest housing complex now faces extraordinary penalties of more than $90,000.
“We get the message,” said Jeffrey Buss, a lawyer for the 15,372-apartment Bronx development.
“This is not what we’re about. We’re a very tolerant and inclusive community. We’re going to be reviewing our policy.”
Co-Op City has a no-pet policy but makes exceptions for companion animals for medical reasons.
A tenant identified only as L.D. in legal papers filed for such an exception based on a long history of depression and other mental-health issues.
But she was rejected in what an administrative law judge concluded was a “superficial” review.
Buss called the $90,150 in penalties “harsh and disproportionate” and said an appeal was in the works, noting that the tenant was allowed to keep her pet.