War Vet Facing Eviction From Coney Island Apartment Over Comfort Dog
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- A dog fight is brewing in Coney Island.
After a nine-month combat tour in Afghanistan, a doctor recommended Eugene Ovsishcher get a comfort dog to help him deal with symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder.
Last August, he adopted Mickey, a Shih Tzu.
1010 WINS' Terry Sheridan reports
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"He's like my registered nurse," Ovsishcher said. "When I was sick he was coming up to me every 15 minutes, checking up on me to see if I'm even breathing. It was like the best feeling in the world."
Ovsishcher sought an exemption from Trump Village's no-dog policy and was told to get a note from his doctor explaining Mickey is a comfort dog.
After complying with the request, the co-op board rejected Ovsishcher's plea, saying he needed a note from a psychiatrist, not his family doctor.
Now, Ovsishcher and his family are facing eviction from their three-bedroom apartment.
The 42-year-old war veteran said he feels he is being discriminated against, claiming the complex is crawling with dog owners who have some sort of amnesty.
Despite the fact that he could lose his home, Ovsishcher said he has no regrets and will continue to fight for Mickey because he's a part of the family.
