Bronk v. Ineichen

54 F.3d 425 (7th Cir. 1995)

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Nature of the Case

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Facts

Bronk (P) and Jay were two deaf women who rented an apartment from Ineichen (D). P rented the townhouse from D in 1992. D refused to modify the lease so that P could have a hearing dog. P obtained a dog, but D found out and quickly evicted the dog. D then threatened P to raise rent and charge them an additional security deposit if they brought the dog back. D also hinted that P should find new living arrangements. In November 1992 P filed a complaint with the Madison Equal Opportunities Commission in that D had discriminated against them for both gender and their disability. An injunction was issued about the pet policy, but there was no basis for the gender discrimination. D then lost their jobs and relocated to Kenosha and brought a suit in federal court for damages. At trial, it was shown that the dog was not a professional hearing dog and that P had lived without a dog before. The jury found for D and P appealed.