Elderly widow and her dog can stay

The co-op board of the Hartley House at 75 Maine Ave. has settled with Mary Pasko, a 92-year-old widow with medical disabilities allowing her to keep her dog, a 14-year-old miniature poodle, who serves as her assistance animal. The case had gained intense media attention when the board attempted to evict Pasko after she refused to part with her dog, or to move.

Under terms of the agreement, the co-op will allow Pasko to keep her dog in the apartment she shares with her daughter, Joan Anzelone, as an assistance animal, and will drop the eviction lawsuit that had been filed in state court.

“Persons with disabilities are entitled to the protections of the Fair Housing Act,” said Benton J. Campbell, the United States Attorney for the Eastern District of New York, who announced the settlement. “This includes the right to reasonable modification of co-op rules to enable residents with disabilities to continue to live in their homes. We are pleased that 75 Maine Ave. has entered into an agreement that ensures that they will comply with the Fair Housing Act.”