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A 9-year-old service dog is at the center of a dispute between two neighbors.
Giovanna Maldonado, who is mentally challenged, often walks her service dog named Lassie through their neighborhood.
The collie helps Maldonado maintain a level of comfort and calmness. But lately the dog is receiving some unwanted attention.
"I come home happily from Special Olympics and I see animal control things on the door," Maldonado said.
Orange County Animal Services officers warned Maldonado to keep her dog on a leash after a complaint from neighbor Ken Poche.
"She has let her dog come around here and defecate all on people's properties," Poche said. "Right here, and specifically right here by the mailbox."
Poche said he's also seen Lassie attack ducks in the neighborhood. He claims some ducks were so badly injured that he had to shoot them.
"God's innocent animals. Her dog chases the ducks," Poche said.
"She likes to chase ducks because she's playful," Maldonado said. "I don't know why he takes it out on me."
Maldonado believes she's being targeted and said Lassie is a quiet, friendly dog. The dog is a registered service dog and is up-t0-date on her vaccinations.
"Friendliest dog ever," Maldonado said
Animal Services officials said owners can be fined if dogs aren't kept on a leash in residential areas, and there's no exception for service dogs.
