Forced Esa Dog Surrender

Summary

In Missouri, emotional support animals (ESAs) are protected under the Fair Housing Act if you have a prescription or letter from a licensed mental health professional. If you were forced to surrender your ESA despite having this documentation, you may have legal recourse. Consult with a local attorney or animal rights group for further guidance. If local lawyers are prejudiced, consider reaching out to legal aid organizations or animal rights groups beyond your immediate locality. The Missouri Bar Association also offers a lawyer referral service.

Full Conversation

I was forced into surrendering all off my animals one off which was my ESA DOG. There's a long story behind that little statement but that's the beginning
Hello Vivian Ann Sims, I'm sorry to hear about your situation. To provide the most accurate information, could you please let me know the state or country you're located in?
Missouri USA
I'm sorry to hear about your situation, Vivian. In Missouri, emotional support animals (ESAs) are protected under the Fair Housing Act. However, you must have a prescription or letter from a licensed mental health professional.
- Did you have such a document for your ESA dog?
Yes
That's good, Vivian. In Missouri, the law protects ESAs. If you were forced to surrender your ESA, despite having a valid letter, you may have legal recourse. Consult with a local attorney or animal rights group for further guidance.
If an unable to find a local lawyer in my area that isn't already prejudiced against me, so I guess that there's nothing I'll be able to do. Thanks anyways
I understand your concern, Vivian. You can consider reaching out to legal aid organizations or animal rights groups beyond your immediate locality. They often provide remote assistance. Also, the Missouri Bar Association has a lawyer referral service which could be useful.