The North Carolina Court of Appeals recently published an opinion in Bryan v. Kittinger that has the potential to impact how community associations, such as HOAs, can amend restrictive covenants. The Court also ruled on the types of animals that can be considered “household pets.” Read the entire article……………………………….
How Can Your HOA Handle Residents Who Feed Stray Animals?
Feeding stray animals can cause a host of problems in your community. Some community members may worry that strays will carry diseases that can be passed on to their pets. In addition to that, not all residents will want to deal with the increased animal traffic that often comes along with feeding strays. Read the […]
Picking Up After Pets: Should Your HOA Utilize Dog Poop DNA?
One issue that many HOAs faces are that people will have dogs that they don’t bother to (or refuse) to pick up after. Nothing can disgust neighbors, clog up lawnmowers, and/or ruin someone’s day by stepping in a fresh pile of dog poop. Read the entire article……………………………….
Judge rules against HOA, in favor of Raleigh homeowner’s dog treat station (NC)
A Wake County District Court judge ruled this week against a homeowners’ association threatening to fine a homeowner for a pet snack station. The argument boils down to who has control over the city of Raleigh’s right-of-way, in this case a sliced of land between the sidewalk and the street. It’s where homeowner Chuck Pringle’s […]
Is there actually such thing as a No Pet Property in a Homeowners Association? (MN)
Many homeowners associations restrict or prohibit pets. This may make the property attractive to buyers who have allergies, a fear of dogs, or who simply do not want to live in that type of environment with pets. But when is a “pet-free” property not pet free? Read the entire article……………………………….
Series of dog illnesses, deaths in Arrowood worry residents (CA)
Both pet owners soon realized they weren’t alone. After connecting with neighbors during a homeowners’ association meeting, they learned that since 2020, approximately 34 pets had fallen ill under similar circumstances throughout the Arrowood community. Eighteen of those animals later died, including Dommie, Maggie and two kittens. Read the entire article……………………………….
Turkey Creek resident hopes for decisive action after attack by aggressive dogs (FL)
Bj Wiesen is frustrated at the slow pace of the responses from her neighborhood homeowners’ association and Alachua County Animal Resources & Care following a vicious attack on her neighbor’s dog in the White Oaks section of the Turkey Creek neighborhood in the City of Alachua last December. Read the entire article……………………………….
Condo Smarts: Unenforced pet bylaws cause division amongst homeowners (BC)
May be time for a fresh start on a pet bylaw and the owner ratification or an amendment of the existing pet bylaw at a general meeting. Read the Q&A……………………………….
How HOAs Can Establish Effective Pet Policies: Arizona HOA Laws for Pets and Support Animals
While dogs are often lauded as man’s best friend there are times when they, as well as other pets, can pose legal issues for HOAs and condominium associations. Many of the legal issues can be avoided by regulating and enforcing pet policies in HOAs. Whether you want to place restrictions on animal and pet owner […]
Turks & Caicos: Condo owners sue Inn at Grace Bay for ‘unconstitutional’ no pet policy
Condo owners at the Inn at Grace Bay have brought a suit against the boutique hotel for what they call an ‘unconstitutional no pet policy’. Donald Desrochers and Laura Lawrence – a retired Canadian couple – are saddened that such a discriminatory policy was hastily put in place to deprive them – and other owners […]
Pal, pick up that poop (ID)
Pets poop. That’s a given. What is not a given is whether their owners will pick it up. Many don’t. And that’s a problem. A messy one. Hawk’s Nest is hoping to clean it up — at least in its subdivision in northwest Coeur d’Alene. It’s become such a crappy conundrum the former Homeowners Association president […]
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 […]
I-Team: ‘I seriously think this person is a psychopath,’ someone is poisoning dogs in one Las Vegas neighborhood (NV)
At least four dogs have been poisoned and killed in The Lakes in the west Las Vegas valley, prompting one pet owner to now raise money for a private investigator. Read the entire article……………………………….
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 […]
Australia: They bought a puppy for their son in lockdown. Strata did something ‘absurd’ (NSW)
When health worker Georgia Dawson applied for permission to keep her dog in her apartment, she was stunned to be told her building was considering imposing a bond on all pet owners of $2000. Read the entire article……………………………….
Vietnamese pot-bellied pig is a pet, can stay in his home, judge rules (OH)
A Vietnamese pot-bellied pig will get to stay with his owners after a Warren County Common Pleas Court judge adopted the magistrate’s decision that determined the animal was a household pet and not livestock. 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 […]
What Homeowners Association Pet Restrictions Should Your Board Enforce?
Homeowners association pet restrictions are commonplace in any planned development. But, deciding what pet policies your community should have in place is a little trickier than it might initially seem. Read the entire article……………………………….
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……………………………….
Judge rules woman can keep her Vietnamese pot-bellied pig after legal dispute with HOA (OH)
A Warren County couple that found themselves in a legal dispute because they wanted to keep a pot-bellied pig as a pet received good news on Wednesday after a judge ruled that the Price family can keep Arnold. Read the entire article……………………………….
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 […]
A woman and her pot-bellied pig: The legal battle over who gets to define what a pet is (OH)
Arnold is on a diet. Because she’ll eat anything, including dog food. Her belly almost drags the ground, and so does her chin. Her grandmother can’t help but spoil her. Arnold is a pot-bellied pig. Read the article………………………………..
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 […]
What Homeowners Association Pet Restrictions Should Your Board Enforce (OH)
Homeowners association pet restrictions are commonplace in any planned development. But, deciding what pet policies your community should have in place is a little trickier than it might initially seem. Read the article…………………………………
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 […]
Pet pig named Arnold Ziffel at center of dueling Springboro lawsuits (OH)
A Vietnamese pot-bellied pig named Arnold Ziffel is the focus of dueling lawsuits between a Springboro couple and their homeowners’ association. Read the article…………………………………..
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 […]
Surrey woman told by strata to remove her dog deemed ‘too tall’ by the bylaw (BC)
A Surrey resident is being asked to get rid of her furry companion, a nine-month-old Golden Retriever mix named Scout. Rabiya Merani told CTV News Vancouver she was surprised to learn that her dog’s size was violating a strata bylaw. “I got a letter that said that she was too tall and that she would […]
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 […]
Former all-pro NFL lineman faces lawsuit alleging his 2 dogs terrorized Delray residents (FL)
Pahokee native Ray McDonald, 35, an all-pro NFL lineman whose career was cut short by allegations of domestic violence, is now facing a lawsuit alleging his two 115-pound Corso dogs terrorized a number of residents at the Foxe Chase development. Read the article………………………………
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……………………………