The Connecticut Supreme Court unanimously ruled a lower court erred in allowing a tenant of a federally subsidized rental apartment to keep an “emotional support dog” for her niece following the death of a relative.

In its 16-page decision released Tuesday, Justice Richard A. Robinson wrote for the 7-0 panel that New Haven Superior Court housing Judge Anthony V. Avallone “abused” his discretion by ruling that allowing the dog was in the “spirit” of U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development regulations.

The high court's ruling doesn't necessarily mean Melissa Phillips will no longer be allowed to keep her late mother's dog at New Haven's Presidential Village Apartments since the case is remanded back to New Haven Superior Court.