A legal battle is unfolding in Central Florida after a former employee of an Orlando veterinary clinic filed a federal lawsuit claiming he was fired for speaking out against an “English-only” workplace mandate.
Armani Ruiz, a Puerto Rican American, filed the complaint on February 3 in the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Florida, alleging that his former employer, Downtown Pet Hospital (DPH), used a sudden policy change to target Hispanic staff.
According to court documents, the dispute began in September 2023 when management allegedly informed Spanish-speaking staff that they were no longer permitted to use their native language while on the clock. Ruiz, who had worked as an hourly employee at the Orange County facility since April 2022, claims the clinic provided no professional or operational justification for the rule.
The complaint alleges that when Ruiz approached the clinic’s owner, Ann Christine McCulley, to express that the policy made him “extremely uncomfortable” and felt discriminatory, his concerns were not met with a discussion. Instead, Ruiz claims that on October 12, 2023, McCulley and a manager, identified as Kiersten, terminated his employment effective immediately.
The legal filing states that the clinic’s official reason for the firing was a vague claim that Ruiz was not “following the policies.”
However, Ruiz notes in the lawsuit that he had a clean disciplinary record with no prior write-ups or warnings during his year and a half of service. He argues that the timing of his firing—coming shortly after his complaint about the language rule—points to retaliation rather than a genuine performance issue.
Ruiz’s legal team at Richard Celler Legal PA argues that the “English-only” mandate was a pretext for discrimination based on race and ethnic characteristics. The lawsuit seeks a variety of damages, including back pay, punitive damages, and compensation for emotional distress. Ruiz alleges the firing led to “crippling” anxiety and family discord.
Downtown Pet Hospital has not yet filed a formal response to the allegations in court. The case is currently pending in the Orlando Division of the Middle District of Florida.
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