Early this year, the Cambridge-based organization National Service Dogs was the subject of a discrimination complaint submitted to the Ontario Human Rights Tribunal.
NSD placed one of its dogs in the home of a family in Mississauga as a companion animal for an autistic girl. They were later forced to remove the dog, however, because Sammy had gained too much weight.
Soon after Sammy was taken out of the home, the family alleged NSD discriminated "because of disability" contrary to the Human Rights Code.
In April, the tribunal ruled in favour of NSD, saying the decision to remove the dog was "reasonable after several years of engaging" with the family to properly feed, arrange play dates and walk Sammy.
Sammy suffered from health issues after the family struggled to properly feed and exercise the dog despite repeated efforts by NSD to intervene.
When Sammy entered the home, he was a healthy 83 pounds.
Sammy had gained almost 50 pounds by 2019 under the family's care.
Read the full story HERE.
