Trailer park: Woman must choose between dog, home
December 23rd, 2008 by TCPalm.comThe management company of Port St. Lucie’s Spanish Lakes I has given Dorrine Vilot, 66, a Christmas ultimatum: Get rid of your dog or leave.
The dog in question is Peanut, a 12-pound pomeranian-poodle mix that Vilot got earlier this year under doctor’s orders. Vilot has asthma, depression, high blood pressure and macular degeneration, so her doctors suggested she get a service animal.
Vilot has trained Peanut to wake her every morning in time to take her medications. They take walks together that have helped Vilot lose 7 pounds, according to TCPalm.com
So Vilot brought the 9-month-old puppy with her when she returned to the Spanish Lakes trailer she’s wintered in for six years. The pair arrived in October. The first letter threatening eviction arrived in November.
More than a dozen of Vilot’s neighbors have signed a petition supporting Peanut’s residency. But on Dec. 18, another letter arrived from Wynne Corp., this one threatening eviction in seven days — on Christmas Day.
Vilot said she won’t leave the lot she pays more than $400 a month to rent for her trailer. She also doesn’t plan to give up Peanut.
Charles Ray, Wynne Corp. attorney, said he was reviewing the case. “We want to do what’s reasonable and proper within the law,” he said. “Hopefully, when that’s done, we’ll have a positive resolution for us all.”
By Hillary Copsey, TCPalm.com
Tags: dog, pet, service animal, trailer park, Wynne Corp.
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December 23rd, 2008 at 4:17 pm
bah humbug tsk tsk tsk such a christmas present to a 66 y.o. woman. shame on you. where is santa? or better yet, what is that old forgotten saying “what would jesus do?”
HMMM AND THE MEANING OF CHRISTMAS IS____________?
December 23rd, 2008 at 4:23 pm
What scumbags!!
Does Spanish Lakes I or Wynne Corp have any human decency whatsoever?
Let her keep the dog, you heartless cretins.
December 23rd, 2008 at 4:30 pm
How absolutely horrible that HOA’s and Management Companies can exercise this kind of power over people. My heart goes out to Ms.Vilot and I cannot believe that Spanish Lake’s Management Company can in good conscience evict this poor woman especially during the holidays. If a physician orders a patient to adopt a pet because it will benefit that patient’s health then in my opinion, a HOA or Management Company should not be allowed to interfere with that. I hope as many people as possible sign the petition on behalf of Ms. Vilot and that she will get to keep not only her home but, her beloved Peanut as well.
December 25th, 2008 at 12:16 pm
It’s a freakin trailer park, not the Luxor! Give the woman a break and let her keep her dog you bunch of Grinches. Shame on you! Those pets bring such joy to people living alone, keeping them healthier, happier,lowering their blood pressure and warding off depression. A tiny little pooch like that won’t hurt anyone and certainly doesn’t cause a fuss. A punch in the nose goes to that lousey HOA and its ridiculous rules. Spanish Lakes Management will get a big black eye over this one.
December 26th, 2008 at 2:04 pm
Reading this article feels like my heart and soul are going through a shredder. Abuse and cruelty increasingly become a way of life in this country. Spanish Lakes HOA and their Management company are a prime example of the reasons we suffer from so much violence and indifference towards one another. All life is created equal.Ms. Vilot and Peanut are welcome in my home if need be. I hope the Palm Beach Post will let Ms. Vilot know she and peanut have a place to go.
December 29th, 2008 at 12:41 pm
OK There’s WAY more to this story than you are reading here. Don’t rush to judgement until you know all the facts.