Officials Block Diabetic Boy's Dog At N.Y. School Doors

These are the kind of stories that break your heart.

— Kenn

ERNIE GARCIA • GANNETT NEWS / THE JOURNAL NEWS

YONKERS, N.Y. — School officials blocked a diabetic boy from bringing his dog into school this morning, continuing a dispute between his family and the district.

Anthony Spataro, 8 and his mother Samantha Spataro tried to bring Dash, a black male labrador, into Paideia School 15 at 175 Westchester Ave., but the district’s executive director for pupil support services and special education Donna Martuge intercepted them.

Samantha Spataro said that Martuge told her that Anthony was welcome into the school to start the fourth grade, but he could not bring in the dog.

diabeticdogblocked01

The Spataros have battled district officials for the past year for Anthony’s right to bring a service animal into school so it can monitor his blood glucose levels.

Earlier this year the state’s Division of Human Rights issued a determination that the Spataros had grounds to sue the district over the issue. The family said they will now head to court.

“We’re going to file an injunction,” said Samantha Spataro. “We didn’t want to go this route.”

Schools spokeswoman Jerilynne Fierstein said that Dash is not properly trained.

“The puppy is not a service dog under the existing service animals standards and guidelines,” said Fierstein. She said Dash is too young to have received the necessary training to detect glucose levels.

diabeticdogblocked02

Subscribe
Notify of
guest
0 Comments
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments
Gift Dog
14 years ago

“The puppy is not a service dog under the existing service animals standards and guidelines,” said Fierstein. She said Dash is too young to have received the necessary training to detect glucose levels.
According to Fox News (so not 100% reliable!) the same people had stopped him bringing in his previous dog who was 2 years old.
Looking at the picture – does it strike anybody in America that when you have an armed policeman stopping a mom and her kid with a medical condition and a dog that helps entering a school… you really have a problem!

Gift Dog
14 years ago

“The puppy is not a service dog under the existing service animals standards and guidelines,” said Fierstein. She said Dash is too young to have received the necessary training to detect glucose levels.
According to Fox News (so not 100% reliable!) the same people had stopped him bringing in his previous dog who was 2 years old.
Looking at the picture – does it strike anybody in America that when you have an armed policeman stopping a mom and her kid with a medical condition and a dog that helps entering a school… you really have a problem!

Rainette Murphy Lopez
Rainette Murphy Lopez
12 years ago

Here to assist see our Face Book page Save Our Service animals.  Advocates free to all.  877730-9959.
Rainette Murphy Lopez

SUBSCRIBE TO
DOG FILES

Top Posts

More Articles...

0
Would love your thoughts, please comment.x
()
x

Why haven't You Signed up For our Newsletter?

Find out why over 8000 Dog lovers have already Joined!

Receive our newsletter, get special deals & stay updated.