Legal Question in Discrimination Law in Michigan

Discrimination because I travel with my dog

I am a member of a rodeo association that sanctions rodeos at many county fairs. We enter these rodeos a week in advance. The contractor has posted that No Dogs would be allowed at the rodeo. Most of the competitors do travel with their dogs, 1. because we want--name removed-- 2. because there is no one home--name removed--take care of them when your gone for the whole weekend. The contractor has noted that her dog would be with her--name removed--help with the stock but contestants would not be allowed on the grounds if they had a dog. My legal question is this; if my dog is in my truck or living quarters of my trailer, can she keep me out of the fair grounds and not allow me--name removed--compete? There are many places that don't allow dogs, but then mine just stays in the air conditioned living quarters just like we were home. They don't keep me out of the restaurant because I have a dog in the vehicle. What rights do I have?? Thank you.


Asked on 5/01/05, 12:59 am

1 Answer from Attorneys
William Stern William Stern, P.C.

Re: Discrimination because I travel with my dog

While you have a right to travel with your dog, the rodeo people do not have to allow your dog on their premises, even if it is in a truck. See if you can organize others to boycott their event. However, I am sure that their excuse is that they just want to make sure that no dogs stir things up and cause injury. There is just no fundamental right to enter their event. While they cannot discriminate on any basis that would violate the state or federal civil rights laws, there is no civil rights law protecting one from having a dog at an event, unless it is a seeing eye dog. Bill Stern

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Answered on 5/01/05, 10:14 am


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