Pet owners need to know condo rules (ON)

Although it’s illegal to prohibit pets in rental buildings in Ontario, bans and restrictions are legal in condos if the prohibition is in the declaration   Read the entire article……………………………….

Updating Your Building’s Pet Policy (NY)

ALL of a coop’s or condo’s policies and procedures should be reviewed every few years. This is to see if they are up to date, or if they have fallen out of compliance either with New York City building regulations or the owner’s wishes and best interests. Here are our tips on what to consider […]

Condo Board Imposes Rules and Fines on Dog Owners. Is That Legal? (NY)

A condo board on the Upper West Side announced that it will fine residents — unit-owners and rent-stabilized tenants alike — if they fail to follow a new rule requiring dog owners to use the service elevator, carry their dogs while in the elevator, and enter and exit the building through the service entrance. Are […]

‘Pandemic Pets’ in Multifamily Communities

The coronavirus crisis has forced many unwelcome changes on households around the world—but it has also allowed or inspired some to make lifestyle choices that were impractical or otherwise out of reach before. One such choice has been to acquire a pet. With travel restricted, and working and schooling largely happening at home, households across […]

Lake Ann Homeowners Fighting For Pet Chickens (MI)

A couple in Lake Ann are fighting to keep their chickens on their property, and the issue has ruffled some feathers on the Homeowners Association board.  Back in June, Rachael Brehler was at Tractor Supply Co. and on a spontaneous buy she brought home four hens – Waddles, Cheetah Bird, Ruby and Karen.     Read […]

For years, someone has been poisoning dogs in this Las Vegas neighborhood (NV)

By Cornwall’s own estimates, 15 neighborhood dogs have been poisoned through similar means dating as far back as 2014. The most recent attack came this Halloween when Cornwall’s next-door neighbor, Sandra Eells, had to take her 4-month-old Belgian Malinois puppy to an emergency vet for strychnine poisoning after she began experiencing seizures.   Read the entire […]

Is a Condo Association Liable For Co-Owner Dog Bites? (MI)

Most condominium bylaws will contain some form of restrictions on animals. Enacting animal restrictions is a prudent approach for condominium and homeowners association to protect the members of their community. However, the adoption and enforcement of animal restrictions are not a guarantee that a dog will not bite another animal or human.   Read the entire […]

Association’s Vested Discretion in Declaring an Aggressive Dog a Nuisance

The Spagenskis (“the Homeowners”) lived in a community in San Diego County with their German shepherd Kato. The community was governed by Sunset Greens Homeowners Association (the “Association”) in accordance with a declaration of covenants, conditions, and restrictions (“CC&R’s”). From February 2019 to May 2019, Kato attacked three dogs in the community.  Read the entire article……………………………….

Pandemic pets: Welcoming your community’s newest, furriest residents

The past year and a half has been challenging on many fronts, but one of the biggest upsides has been the so-called pandemic pets: The dogs, cats, and other furry friends who were adopted as people were isolated during stay-at-home orders and looking for companionship to help improve their mental and physical health.     Read […]

Indian Trail evaluating electronic leashes (NC)

A board member from the Bonterra Village Homeowners Association has approached the Indian Trail Town Council about strengthening leash laws by excluding electronic leashes as a means of restraining dogs.  Robert Roth, of the HOA, told the council July 27 that a jogger encountered what appeared to be a loose dog, but its owner assured […]

Dog Attacks In An HOA Community: Who Is Liable? (NC)

Dog attacks in HOA communities may not happen often, but it is important to know what to do in the event that they do. Are homeowners associations liable in such instances?  Read the entire article……………………………….

Owners allege chemicals applied in community made their dogs ill (DE)

A local resident is suing the homeowners’ association of the Hamlet at Dirickson Pond, where he lives, as well as Seaside Property Management, the company that manages the development, and Sposato Landscape Company, whose employees sprayed a chemical he said made his dog seriously ill.   Read the entire article……………………………….

Owner’s Pot-Bellied Pig Leads To Unusual Discrimination Lawsuit (FL)

An Ohio HOA recently learned the hard way that discrimination lawsuits arising out of pet restrictions aren’t limited to disability-related claims. That’s one lesson from the association’s attempts to remove a pig from its premises; the other is that poorly worded restrictions can backfire.   Read the entire article……………………………….

Pets and the Pandemic: What it means for HOAs?

The pandemic brought one of the most challenging years in recent history, but one of the biggest upsides of the stay-at-home orders was the wave of people who adopted pets.  As people were isolated and looking for companionship to help improve their mental and physical health, pet adoptions soared. Canines topped the list of animals […]

HOA Homefront: Isn’t my service animal protected from HOA pet rules? (CA)

Who doesn’t love pets? Sometimes, it’s your neighbor!  According to the American Pet Products Association, an estimated 67% of American households have a pet. Presumably, that means about two-thirds of HOA residents have pets, and sometimes they create problems.    Read the entire article……………………………….

HOA Homefront: What are the protections for pets (CA)

Who doesn’t love pets? Sometimes, your neighbor!  According to the American Pet Products Association, an estimated 67 percent of American households have a pet. Presumably, that means about two-thirds of HOA residents have pets, and sometimes they create problems.    Read the entire article……………………………….

Dogs over 40 pounds not welcome in community (NV)

Q: I have sought your advice in the past and have been very pleased with the responses you have given. Hopefully you will be able to give us your guidance in the following matter.  I am a board director at a homeowners association community in Las Vegas.    Read the entire article……………………………….

DOG BAN: HOA Demands Homeowner Remove Dogs, Says Not Allowed (FL)

A Palm Beach County homeowners association is suing a couple for allegedly keeping two German Shepherd dogs, in violation of HOA rules.  The lawsuit, just filed in Palm Beach County circuit court, demands that the couple remove the dogs immediately and permanently. The HOA seeks damages in excess of $30,000.    Read the entire article……………………………….

Co-op Board Bites Back at COVID-Sniffing Dog (NY)

This is not a man-bites-dog story. This is a co-op-bites-COVID-sniffing-dog story.  Yes, COVID-sniffing dog. Since dogs have some 300 millions scent receptors – compared to a mere 5 million in humans – they have been deployed successfully sniffing out firearms, drugs, explosives, bed bugs and, now, people who have been infected with the COVID-19 virus.  […]

Dog size rule likely unreasonable (MI)

Q: My condominium association has adopted a rule that prohibits pets over 15 pounds in weight. This kind of seems silly to me because I’ve known some small dogs that can be really noisy and cause a regular nuisance. Is this kind of thing common?   Read the Q&A………………………………….

Ohio Woman Challenges HOA Regarding Her Pet Pig (OH)

After buying a unique household pet, one couple is now in a fight with their Home Owner’s Association to get to keep her.  Katherine Price has a unique household pet, a two-year-old Vietnamese pot belly pig named Arnold Ziffel. Price had another pig just like Arnold while growing up in Vietnam.   Read the entire article……………………………….

Pet-friendly Communities: The Dos and Don’ts (ON)

Pets are valued members of the family, so it’s no surprise that pet-friendly communities are some of the most sought-after places to live. While there are many benefits to living in a condominium , pet permissions do come with a few guidelines. Like any condo, pet-friendly communities have rules, regulations, and restrictions that every homeowner […]

Barking issues can result in fines for owner (IL)

Q: Like so many people, I have been working from my condominium unit during the COVID-19 pandemic. I have noticed a lot of owners in our association have dogs. During the workday, any number of different dogs may start barking for a few minutes. The barking of the dogs can be very distracting. I have […]

Pet Policies: Regulating Our Furry Friends (OH)

Board members generally have authority to adopt and enforce rules within their community. While most rules are created to protect the owners and residents living in the association, a large number of households also include pets. Boards can, and should, seek to adopt pet policies to ensure that man’s best friend does not turn into […]

HOA Pet Ownership Questions to Ask

For many, one of the best parts about life is owning a pet. When you live in an HOA, specific rules and restrictions are placed on HOA pet ownership, such as what types of breeds and species you can own and where in the neighborhood they can go. For each association, rules vary greatly, so […]

MI Court Rules that Dangerous Dog Must Be Removed from Condominium

In Parkview at Orion Commons Condominium Association v Rouhan, the Oakland Circuit Court held that a dog who bit a neighboring co-owner is a dangerous animal that must be removed from the condominium premises. The Court determined, on the basis of the parties’ briefs and without oral argument, that the dog was dangerous, and granted […]

This Case Went to the Dogs, Then to Court (NY)

They might be man’s best friend, but what happens when dogs attack the residents of a condominium community? In Board of Managers of Fishkill Woods Condominium v. Gottlieb, the State Supreme Court’s Appellate Division considered that issue, but also the important issues of whether the condominium board had the right to impose fines, and whether […]

Pet-friendly Communities: The Dos and Don’ts

Pets are valued members of the family, so it’s no surprise that pet-friendly communities are some of the most sought-after places to live. While there are many benefits to living in a homeowners’ association (HOA), pet permissions do come with a few guidelines. Like any association, pet-friendly communities have rules, regulations, and restrictions that every […]

5 Tips: Service Animal Classifications and HOA Pet Restriction Enforcement

An HOA Board has the duty to adopt rules known as covenants and restrictions. Those restrictions often include restrictions on HOA members owning pets. As an HOA Board member, you may wonder what is permissible especially with regard to service animal classifications and HOA Pet Restriction Enforcement. The following paragraphs explain what the classifications are […]

Solving The Poop Problem with Dog Owners in your HOA: 7 Things to Try

Are you having a problem with community members not following along with HOA guidelines when taking care of dog poop?   More than 10.6 million pounds of dog waste is produced every year in the United States. When dog waste isn’t properly cleaned up, it can leave a stench and a mess.    Read the article……………………………

The Dangers of Pet Waste in a Community

Many pet owners are unaware of the dangers of pet waste in their yards and communities. The truth is that the waste our pets leave behind poses numerous hazards to humans, the environment, our lawn, and plants.   Read the article……………………………..

How to Care for Pets and Other Animals

There have been limited reports of animals becoming infected with COVID-19. There is currently no evidence that pets or other domestic animals play a significant role in the spread of COVID-19. If you are sick, it is recommended that you avoid contact with pets and other animals, just like you would other people, until more […]

Pets that Bite – What’s a Board and Management to Do? (NY)

Pets are fantastic but when they demonstrate the propensity to bite, action has to be taken. If a board and management do not do so and follow up relentlessly, they can end up in protracted lawsuits when people are injured. This happened to the Element Condominium board on the Upper West Side of Manhattan and […]

Dog Wars (ON)

There are an estimated three to five dogs per floor in condo buildings, accounting for more than 30 percent of a building population. Most buildings lack the infrastructure to handle this population which causes all kinds of problems for residents. Read the article…………………………..

HOA Pet Policy: Rules That Come With Owning A Pet (NC)

One of the top issues that HOAs face is related to residents and their pets. Usually, it is highly recommended to have a clear HOA pet policy to avoid a lack of compliance from residents and irritation from other residents who do not want pets in the community. If your HOA is considering a new […]

Creating a Pet Policy for the HOA

An important issue for homeowner associations is creating and managing policies for pets. This can be a challenge for many reasons, including the fact that service animals and therapy animals are likely to become an important part of your HOA members lives, if they aren’t already.  Read the article…………………………

Dealing with Pet Waste in Your Community

Over 65% of households in the United States have pets, and many of them have dogs. Dogs can often cause conflict in any community association – and the largest cause of such conflict is, usually the waste, or more specifically how that waste is dealt with by the owners.  Irresponsible dog owners will often let […]

Are no pet restrictions enforceable? (FL)

Q: I live in a condominium that does not allow pets of any kind, and never has allowed them. One of the reasons I purchased a unit in this condominium is because I don’t like pets and I don’t want to be around them. Last year my condo board allowed a new owner, who is […]