Video: Family Continues Fight for Service Dog Despite High Cost

[syndicaster id=’5824011′]

MANTACHIE, Miss. (WCBI) — A service dog from Mantachie will now cost his owner 100 dollars a day.

Unless he is registered with the city, and labeled dangerous.

Sharon McAlister is not giving up.

She says this fight is bigger than her American Bull Dog, it’s really about her son, who battles a rare medical condition that affects his motor skills.

“This dog has been his reason for living, for the last year and a half,” says McAlister.

Sharon McAlister is talking about her son Adam’s incredible bond with his service dog, Walter.

A bond that is threatened, due to a label,dangerous.

A label declared by a court ruling, after a neighbor complained.

Mcalister says it’s unfair.

“He has no incident, he hasn’t bitten anybody, doesn’t chase anybody, hasn’t attacked anybody,” says McAlister.

But that’s not why she will continue to fight for Walter, despite the hefty fine of 100 dollars a day, for not registering him.

“What it’s about is my son’s quality of life, you can’t put a price on that, yea, it’s worth everything I’ve got to do it,” she says.

The case has also stopped Walter from becoming a certified service dog, even though he is registered as one and was working with a trainer, learning skills that could save Adam’s life.

“Adam can’t hear cars coming down the street, things like that. Walter blocks him and then gets in front of Adam’s wheelchair so he doesn’t get out in the street,” says McAlister.

McAlister says the stress of losing Adam’s safety net is not the only reason she’s speaking out, she hopes other’s can learn from her story.

“It could happen to anybody.”

Walter is currently being housed outside of Itawamba County.

Mcalister will go to court next month to try for another appeal, clearing Walter’s name and giving her Son his dog back.