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Lawsuit Filed in Library-Cat AttackRichard Espinosa has filed a $1.5-million lawsuit against the City of Escondido, California, alleging the city violated state civil-rights laws by denying him full access to the public library with his assistance dog. The city had already rejected Espinosa’s earlier claim for the same amount that charged he was left emotionally traumatized in November 2000 when the public library’s cat attacked his dog Kimba, who is trained to assist him with panic attacks. “The issue isn’t that the cat attacked my dog,” Espinosa said in the November 28 Escondido North County Times. “It’s about the ability of somebody with a disability to freely access that library unfettered.” Assistant City Attorney Mark Waggoner said the library’s policy is to allow any assistance animal into the library and that “the problem was a cat with its own feline whims.” In the suit, Espinosa charged the city caused him lasting physical and emotional injury, according to the November 28 San Diego Union-Tribune. He said he been diagnosed with several disorders including chronic pain syndrome, borderline personality disorder, major depressive disorder, panic disorder, and post-traumatic stress disorder. The cat also left visible scars on his dog, he said. Posted December 3, 2001. |
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