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Judge nixes deaf LI boy's bid for dog in school - Newsday.com
A federal judge on Tuesday rejected a 14-year-old deaf boy's request to bring his service dog to school, saying the teenager is provided with a sign language interpreter and other accommodations in order to receive a proper education.
An attorney for the family of John Cave said the boy and his parents were disappointed by the ruling, but said they intended to appeal. The Caves declined to speak with reporters after the ruling from U.S. District Court Judge Arthur Spatt.
"We will take this to the Supreme Court if we have to," the Caves' attorney, Paul Margiotta, told reporters.
The Caves filed a a $150 million lawsuit against the East Meadow School District, and sought an injunction to allow the teenager to bring Simba, a 2-year-old yellow Labrador retriever, with him to classes at W. Tresper Clarke High School.
In rejecting an injunction, Spatt said the school district provides Cave with a full-time sign language interpreter, and a student "note-taker" for all classes. The judge also found that Cave is permitted extra time to take tests and his teacher is equipped with a microphone with an FM transmitter connected directly to Cave's cochlear implants.
School district officials said Cave doesn't need the dog and have expressed concern for the health and safety of other students and staff.
"I think the judge vindicated everything the school district did," said Steven Schlesinger, an attorney who represented the school district. "We were doing everything with the best interests of the child in mind."
The judge conducted a hearing over six days earlier this month before issuing his decision on Tuesday.
A federal judge on Tuesday rejected a 14-year-old deaf boy's request to bring his service dog to school, saying the teenager is provided with a sign language interpreter and other accommodations in order to receive a proper education.
An attorney for the family of John Cave said the boy and his parents were disappointed by the ruling, but said they intended to appeal. The Caves declined to speak with reporters after the ruling from U.S. District Court Judge Arthur Spatt.
"We will take this to the Supreme Court if we have to," the Caves' attorney, Paul Margiotta, told reporters.
The Caves filed a a $150 million lawsuit against the East Meadow School District, and sought an injunction to allow the teenager to bring Simba, a 2-year-old yellow Labrador retriever, with him to classes at W. Tresper Clarke High School.
In rejecting an injunction, Spatt said the school district provides Cave with a full-time sign language interpreter, and a student "note-taker" for all classes. The judge also found that Cave is permitted extra time to take tests and his teacher is equipped with a microphone with an FM transmitter connected directly to Cave's cochlear implants.
School district officials said Cave doesn't need the dog and have expressed concern for the health and safety of other students and staff.
"I think the judge vindicated everything the school district did," said Steven Schlesinger, an attorney who represented the school district. "We were doing everything with the best interests of the child in mind."
The judge conducted a hearing over six days earlier this month before issuing his decision on Tuesday.
