Feds say law firm barred client’s service dog

WHITE PLAINS — Prosecutors say a New York law firm refused to allow a disabled client into its offices with her service dog.

The U.S. attorney says the Newburgh firm of Larkin, Axelrod, Ingrassia and Tetenbaum violated the Americans with Disabilities Act.

He says lawyers should know better.

In a lawsuit filed in White Plains on Tuesday, the government says the client has an injured nervous system. It says she uses a German shepherd to help carry things and get up when she falls.

The complaint says the firm’s lawyers twice refused to meet with the client in their offices.

The firm issued a statement saying it acted reasonably and arranged to accommodate the dog after the first incident. It said the lawyer in the second incident acted on his own and violated policy.