On Saturday, March 9th, 2013 at approximately 5:30 PM I was entering my storage unit 408C. After punching in my security code on the access panel for the gate, I proceeded to drive through the gate when I heard someone yelling. I slammed on my brakes, thinking that there was some sort of emergency. I turn my head to see what was going on, only to find that an elderly man was yelling at me from the middle window on the side of the office building. He proceeded to yell at me, and exclaim that I was not permitted to have a dog on the premises. To which I responded that I have a qualifying disability under both the Fair Housing Act and the American's With Disabilities Act, and that said dog in question is indeed my service dog. He then proceeded to argue with me, and made it quite clear that my service dog was not welcome on the premises. I then proceeded to explain to him that is was unlawful for him to deny my service dog and myself access to my storage unit. I even offered to show him documentation proving that I qualify for a service dog, and that my dog is indeed a service dog. He then stated that I have a Pit Bull and that they are definitely not welcome. I then informed him that it is unlawful to breed restrict a service dog. After having caused a scene, and embarrassing me in front of everyone within the parking lot, storage faculty, and the other neighboring businesses, he reluctantly agreed to let me enter the unit but stated that I had to keep my service dog in the truck. I was furious! I drove off toward my unit and broke down in tears. This was overstimulating, humiliating, and degrading to have been so publicly discriminated against. I tried to stop by the office to show him the paperwork as I was exiting the facility, but he had already closed down for the day. I then called the following day, and even stopped by. I received no response and left a voicemail. I then tried calling him on Monday, and he accused me of extortion because I wanted a full refund. Considering the discrimination against my service dog and myself, along with the public humiliation and broadcasting of my condition to said general public I am requesting that I receive a full refund of everything that was paid into the company. That includes a $5 service fee, $25 deposit, and $95 rent for 2/14 - 3/13. Also, I request that I be given to the end of the week 3/15 to vacate the unit with no additional charge as I now have to hire a UHAUL and find another local storage unit. read more
