Demand: let my service dog onto your nude beach

Mark DelCore, 39, says in his federal lawsuit that he has a medical need to sunbathe at the Fire Island nude beach because of a skin condition. The beach rules allow for seeing-eye dogs, but DelCore’s is an “emotional support” dog (see May 14, etc.) who assists with post-traumatic stress he says he’s suffered since […]

Mark DelCore, 39, says in his federal lawsuit that he has a medical need to sunbathe at the Fire Island nude beach because of a skin condition. The beach rules allow for seeing-eye dogs, but DelCore’s is an “emotional support” dog (see May 14, etc.) who assists with post-traumatic stress he says he’s suffered since the 9/11 attacks. One big problem: it’s feared a greater dog presence at water’s edge would interfere with the doings of the piping plover, an endangered shorebird whose protection has already been cited as reason to suppress many human activities on Long Island beaches. (The Smoking Gun, Jul. 13). More: Ann Althouse, who has covered service-dog accommodation controversies in the past, is on this one too. Update: Jul. 22 (DelCore thinking of dropping suit).

3 Comments

  • When will legitimate groups that support the disabled finially realize it is in their interest to not support crap claims like this. Finding emotional benefit from animals is one thing, turning this into an entitlement that society must accomodate is plain and simple manipulation. These passive-aggresive folks want other to see their pain and they want to make others visibly have to accomodate their quirks using a law that had good intentions. Unfortunately, these self absorbed fools are turning public opinion against any sort of support animal use.

  • The Americans with Disabilities Act versus the Endangered Species Act! Fight!

  • Never mind the dog, who wants that person on the beach with them?