I was a bit of a juvenile delinquent.
- I semi-confessed that I may have set off fireworks in a stairwell at my high school.
- And I’ve already confessed my role in an “attack” on a float during a homecoming parade.
- So I may as well admit that I got in trouble during college for having a pet snake in my dorm room.
Given that last bullet point, you would think I would sympathize with people who want to bring pets to school.
And I do, but I don’t sympathize with the notion that the federal government should compel colleges to allow pets – even if they’re for “emotional support.”
Yet that’s exactly what’s happening, thanks to some bureaucrats at a Department that shouldn’t exist. Here are some blurbs from the Wall Street Journal about a new breakthrough in human rights.
College freshman suffering from separation anxiety, take heart: The federal government says universities have an obligation to admit “emotional support” animals into school housing. …emotional support animals (dogs, mostly) provide therapy through companionship and affection.
The pinheads at the Department of Housing and Urban Development say this is required by the Fair Housing Act.
Housing providers must offer people with disabilities a “reasonable accommodation” for emotional support animals under both the Fair Housing Act and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1974, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development said in a notice to its regional offices late last month. …The April 25 notice was sent about a week after a federal judge ruled that student housing is covered by the Fair Housing Act, in a lawsuit filed by HUD against the University of Nebraska, on behalf of a student there.

Meet Fido, your new dorm neighbor
Best of all, you can bring any animal you want so long as it doesn’t have a track record of bad conduct.
Housing providers can’t exclude animals based on breed, size or weight. They can, however, refuse an animal that poses a direct threat to the health and safety of others or would wreck havoc on the property, but such refusals must be based on “objective evidence about the specific animal’s actual conduct – not on mere speculation or fear,” the notice says.
So that doberman pinscher is innocent until proven guilty!
Another great development in “human rights” around the world. Indeed, it belongs with these momentous breakthroughs.
- In France, it is against the law to say your husband is under-endowed or that your wife is fat.
- Across Europe, a satellite dish is now a human right.
- In Finland, broadband access is a basic right.
- There’s now an entitlement for free soccer broadcasts in Europe.
- In Italy, you have the right to…um…your testicles.
- Both the United Nations and the Obama Administration think there’s a right to taxpayer-financed birth control.
Speaking of subsidized birth control, you can enjoy some laughs at Sandra Fluke with this great Reason video, this funny cartoon, and four more jokes here.
[…] Department of Housing and Urban Development asserts there is a right to “emotional support animals” in college […]
[…] At least the pit bulls weren’t in a dorm room providing federally-mandated “emotional […]
[…] At least the pit bulls weren’t in a dorm room providing federally-mandated “emotional […]
[…] At least the pit bulls weren’t in a dorm room providing federally-mandated “emotional […]
Actually this is a not a bad thing. As someone with bipolar disorder and has worked in the Arizona mental health system (I know an oxymoron and all) having a dog with them can be a big help in keeping emotional stability and allowing people to be productive. I know that having a dog around me helps with my symptoms and allows me to focus on my work much easier and just in general survive easier.
[…] Department of Housing and Urban Development asserts there is a right to “emotional support animals” in college […]
[…] Department of Housing and Urban Development asserts there is a right to “emotional support animals” in college […]
So basically this author thinks human rights is joke. All we need is a hut, water, and some fresh meat to survive huh?? What a joke.
[…] At least the pit bulls weren’t in a dorm room providing federally-mandated “emotional […]
[…] housing, but I think we’ll survive just fine without bureaucrats screwing over poor people and mandating “emotional support” animals in college […]
[…] Department of Housing and Urban Development asserts there is a right to “emotional support animals” in college […]
[…] Department of Housing and Urban Development asserts there is a right to “emotional support animals” in college […]
Well, sounds like they could be working up to getting another tax. If they mandate “Therapy Pets” in dorms, then, even though they are still pets, the fact that they are there for “therapy” may require them to be licensed, like the magician’s rabbit. Oh boy! Mo’ money fo’ th’ gub-mint!
[…] A list of new “rights” concocted by governments. […]
[…] but I think we’ll survive just fine without bureaucrats screwing over poor people and mandating “emotional support” animals in college […]
[…] in housing, but I think we’ll survive just fine without bureaucrats screwing over poor people and mandating “emotional support” animals in college […]
[…] but I think we’ll survive just fine without bureaucrats screwing over poor people and mandating “emotional support” animals in college […]
[…] and poor cognitive skills could be transmitted by proximity to my kids (perhaps causing them to need “emotional support” animals in […]
[…] At least the pit bulls weren’t in a dorm room providing federally-mandated “emotional […]
[…] At least the pit bulls weren’t in a dorm room providing federally-mandated “emotional […]
A wise man once told me that in the US, everyone is aware of their rights, but not everyone is aware of their responsibilities. When it comes to reproduction, it is the children that suffer when responsibility is not met. If free contraception helps people to make responsible choices, it is good public policy. Much better than most of the expenditure we see lately in this country.
As far as Sandra Fluke is concerned, I wonder if making birth-control free to all might just mean lower costs in the future for supporting unwanted children, especially if they learn to work the system and ride in the wagon.
So although I’m a staunch yet practical support of freedom for all, I’m torn on the benefits that could accrue to all in this one narrow instance..
Perhaps we could provide taxpayer financed “permanent” birth control. Oh wait, that would be similar to the Nazis. Not serious, just saying.
[…] Dan Mitchell states at International Liberty, this is “another great development in ‘human rights’ around the world. Indeed, […]