Ohio family with miniature horse trained as service animal fights city effort to remove it

BLUE ASH, Ohio – An Ohio family that has a miniature horse as a service animal is suing their city, saying it is violating federal housing law and protections for people with disabilities by refusing to let them keep the animal.

Blue Ash resident Ingrid Anderson and the advocacy group Housing Opportunities Made Equal filed the lawsuit Tuesday in federal court in Cincinnati.

The Cincinnati Enquirer (http://cin.ci/1c1G1oi ) reports a medical center recommended the horse for Anderson's daughter, who has physical ailments and uses it for support to walk in her yard.

The housing group's executive director says Blue Ash officials characterized the horse as livestock that must be removed. She says the group tried to work with the city and that the lawsuit is a last resort.

Blue Ash's solicitor says the city is enforcing its ordinance.