New Jersey parents are suing their local school district claiming their son was not allowed to bring a service dog trained to detect peanuts to school.

Alleging discrimination against their son because of a “severe, life-threatening” allergy to peanuts, the parents (who are identified only by their initials) also allege a “hostile educational environment” against the boy and his twin brother. In response to the federal lawsuit, the school district has denied the charges, stating it has acted “based on legitimate, non-discriminatory and non-retaliatory reasons and motives.” The school district denies refusing the boy the benefit of his service dog.

According to news reports, after the family moved to the area and made the request, the school district asked for more medical documentation. The parents complained, stating the request would require them to expend “significant sums of money and time.”

The lawsuit further claims the district deprived the boy of an education because he did not attend school until mid-October 2016 and the district did not provide him with home instruction. The suit claims a service dog policy, requiring a $1 million liability insurance policy because of a dog, was prepared by the school district in retaliation. Although the requirement was later dropped, the parents claim the district failed to inform them.

The suit also alleges the boy could not use his service dog because the school district said "some students may be allergic to the animal."

The school district responded that the parents have made “impractical demands.”

—Source: mycentraljersey.com