Court Denies Food Stamps to Service Dog

(CANVAS STAFF REPORTS) - An unemployed, wheelchair-bound veteran can't get food stamps for his service dog a Pennsylvania court ruled Tuesday.

Phillyburbs.com reported that James Douris lost a yearlong court case after a three-judge panel determined food stamps are for humans only.

Douris wanted to have his male boxer listed as a dependent in calculating benefits. In February 2009, he appealed a Bucks County welfare office decision that granted him $176 a month in food stamps, saying the amount was not enough to feed himself and the dog. Douris later testified that he feeds the animal human and pet food, but argued the animal pulls his wheelchair around, thus requiring supplemental nutrition.