Where to report off leash dog issue??

Hi everyone,

I am new and not sure if I am posting this in the right place, but I haven't been able to find an answer anywhere online. I am having a MAJOR issue with a neighbor and them not keeping their dog on a leash. I have asked nicely several times and last night there was another incident where their dog rand up on my dog (my dog was on Leash and gets spooked when an off leash dog is charging at them ) and it was just the last straw for me. So, my question is: do I report the matter to my HOA or will I need to contact animal control? Any information is greatly appreciated.

Regards,

Lauren T.

Lauren,

To be honest, the HOA can do little more then send a letter.
Animal control has a lot more authority.

I agree with Tim. Also, same as Kerry I would also report to the HOA; however, it is difficult for an HOA to address without proof. Same as Kerry if you can get pictures of the owner and their dog off leash (and if violates your CCR’s which you need to read and see if violates) then those pictures are worth their weight in gold for an HOA to pursue the owner. With pictures your HOA could potentially fine the owner if your HOA has a fine schedule ... without pictures or other verifiable proof it potentially is your word against their word (he said / she said) and which the HOA should not be involved. Pictures will also assist the local animal control in proving your claim.

Don't know the law(s) in Texas.

Here in Horry County, SC aggressive trespassing dogs may be shot.

The key being 'aggressive'.

Send certified mail to the owner.

Notify LE every time.

? Shoot offending animal ?

You have eliminated shooting as an option as YOU have PROVEN there is no imminent threat from an aggressive animal.

Does Texas have a leash law for all dogs? Or is it like AZ and only certain dogs?

Keep in mind that dogs are considered "Property" by law. They may be our family but the law doesn't differentiate them much from owning a car.

The HOA isn't going to responsible for your neighbor's dogs actions if it is to attack. It's all on the neighbor for failure to maintain their dog/property. They will have to pay for any vet or doctor's bills.

The HOA may be able to issue a notice reminding the owner of the rules of keeping dogs on leashes. However, animal control is your best option and the resource the HOA would also recommend.

We had a few dog incidents in our HOA. One was killed by a dog from another neighborhood. It had gotten loose and killed a dog in our HOA while owner was walking it. Luckily her other dog survived. The dog's owner was located. Dog had to be taken in for a rabies evaluation. The dog could have also been put down due to it's past reported issues. The owner was eventually fined for what the dog did.

I have 3 dogs myself. Dogs do act differently toward each other if leashed. I take them to a park on occasion. Some owners will walk dog off leash even outside the fenced dog area. Makes me VERY nervous. Not that their dog isn't well behaved to be off a leash. It's just a dog's nature takes over it can turn ugly quick. Had a few close calls. I make sure my dogs don't interact and keep walking forward.

My neighbor had 2 Dobermans. If I came near the fence the female would growl/snarl at me. Swear she wanted to kill me! However, I used to babysit the dogs when neighbors out of town. I could walk into their yard and play with them. (Although a bit nervously). Walk out of their yard to go home. There she was snarling at me while walking past the fence. So understand dog behavior may help in lessening of the uneasiness you feel when that dog approaches unleashed. It may be the dog needs to know your scent and lose interest. It will smell what you put out. If it's fear, then that means unpredictable what that dog may do.

Our association attorney has assured us, with examples, that if an unleashed dog injured someone in our community that not only would we be sued, we'd probably lose, regardless of what the county's leash law says. We're in a somewhat sparsely populated county and Animal Control has told us multiple times that they've got their hands full every day and they're not interested in running over here every time someone spots Mrs. Doubtfire's little yap dogs running around off-leash.

So we enforce our CC&R restriction that says no animals are permitted to roam around un-leashed. God forbid a little kid gets attacked or bitten while here visiting his or her grandparents.

As stated above, do try animal control with evidence. IF your HOA has rules that dogs must be under the control of the owner, ALSO take the steps to report the violation of this rule with evidence.

Calls of owners to hearings and fines ARE effective in our urban high rise condo HOA. We have NEVER had a repeat offender of this in the 16 years since our buildings opened.

Arizona Leash Law-

11-1012. Dogs not permitted at large; wearing licenses

A. Neither a female dog during her breeding or mating season nor a vicious dog shall be permitted at large.

B. In a rabies quarantine area, no dogs shall be permitted at large. Each dog shall be confined within an enclosure on the owner's property, secured so that the dog is confined entirely to the owner's property, or on a leash not to exceed six feet in length and directly under the owner's control when not on the owner's property.

C. Any dog over the age of three months running at large shall wear a collar or harness to which is attached a valid license tag. Dogs that are used for control of livestock, being used or trained for hunting or dogs, being exhibited or trained at a kennel club event or engaged in races approved by the Arizona racing commission, and while the dogs are being transported to and from such events, need not wear a collar or harness with a valid license attached provided that they are properly vaccinated, licensed and controlled.

D. No person in charge of any dog shall permit such dog in a public park or upon any public school property unless the dog is physically restrained by a leash, enclosed in a car, cage or similar enclosure or being exhibited or trained at a recognized kennel club event, public school or park sponsored event.

YEP ... most likely would name the association in a lawsuit. However, if the HOA regulates dogs then it can be found that they did not properly enforce their documents. If HOA does not regulate my response to the court would be:

Your honor my association does not regulate pets and has not SUPERCEEDED the Local, County, or State Law by having any such provision in our CCR’s. We unlike the local government entities are NOT PROPERLY TRAINED in the handling of Vicious Animals and you and everyone knows that all Citizens are required to follow their Local, County and State Ordinances. Because an individual did not follow the Government Laws does not mean our HOA can be held liable when this situation is NOT regulated via our CCR’s. I assisted the victim as a Citizen by calling 911 when they were viciously attacked and providing them with the telephone number for our Local “Properly Trained” Animal Control. Therefore, I respectfully request that our HOA be released from this lawsuit in which we have been improperly named as a party, due to there has been no violation of our Community Documents.

Look, folks. All high rises in my urban neighborhood have rules about dogs in the common areas. Keep in mind that our common areas include interior corridors, elevators and lobbies AS WELL AS exterior hardscape.

All the rules say the dog must be carried or leashed by someone capable of controlling it. It's impossible to imagine anyone wanting to live in such a setting without this rule. IF we have evidence that a dog harmed someone on our premises, we can have the dog removed or we can order that it be muzzled when in our common areas. This has never happened in 16 years, and I'd say about 25% of our condos have 1-2 dogs.

As with any other hazard on our premises, if reported, we as a Board must try to correct the hazard whether poor lighting, slippery conditions, or a dangerous dog.

What's appropriate for detached homes can be very different for urban condo dwellers.

As I have pointed out, Douglas, our HOA has had NO trouble enforcing this rule. We've had witnesses or camera footage on the rare occasions when someone has violated this rule.

A neighboring condo building requires one dog to be crated in the elevators & interior common areas. The owner puts the crate on a wagon to take the dog anywhere!

In a setting of detached homes; it's a different ballgame.

Maybe, but rules are rules. If your association is diligent enough to enforce it to a point where it's a non issue, Dilly Dilly for them. I, personally would not even attempt such control. I'm going to assume there are other rules regarding dogs as well; such as weight and type/size.

But then again, I do not live in a high rise condo and hope I never do. There is a certain amount of freedom, or at least the feeling of freedom, that comes with Rural living.

Sounds good, Lauren. Without rereading this whole thread, did you even say whether your HOA's governing documents has dogs on leash rules?

We, Douglas, do limit any combo of dogs & cats to two. We have no weight or size limits. One owner has a pair of sizable Dobermans. Sure, we have rules that pets may not do their business in the common areas. And that they may not be locked out of their units on the balcony. And that dogs may not bark incessantly or often. Dogs also aren't allowed in our gym, swimming pool area, conference room, social lounges or billiards room.

Neither rural nor urban living suits everyone. We very much enjoy the freedom from my car every time we need a loaf of bread, postage stamps, a haircut, dry cleaning, new sox, fine or cheap restaurant meals, live music & plays, etc. I'm living my dream but it certainly would be someone else's nightmare.

I'm not sure about the HOA'S regulations, but the city of houston has leash lows. The dog has to be leashed or controlled by their owner at all times.

I know. The only the I regret is how I said it. Although she did pick him up this time and that is definitely progress, it still wasn't on a leash. Tonight was the first night ever she was close enough to him to be able to grab him in time. Every other time the dog is a good ways away from her and sprints towards us growling and barking, while she calls his name, but he doesn't come when called.

Still agree I shouldn't have said it that way, but the issue hasn't been resolved. I should have just let animal control handle it.

Interesting. In NY state, leash laws vary by county or even town.

My town allows off-lead dogs provided they're under voice control.

If tail up and wagging - no problem.

If tail down and/or growling:

Turn and face the approaching animal.

Put non kick leg 1/2 step to front.

When, not if, WHEN animal jumps at you PLANT KICKING LEG IN ITS BELLY.

Imagine a football punt.

Game over for animal .... if done poorly still game over .... if done well game over PERMANENTLY.

Your explanation: Animal growled and attacked.

Best of luck.

ps. I am a dog lover who always trains my animals to lick strangers SILENTLY if they approach.

If I snarl 'sic em' - THEN look out.

It sounds like you are the problem. It sounds, by your admission, that she is walking a dog that is friendly and poses no threat to you or anyone else. YOU just want the dog on a leash because there is a law stating that. There is a lot of laws on the books that are broken and not enforced. Just part of life.

I would do as suggested above. Go knock on the door and say hi.

If the dog is vicious, that's a different story. I will tell you this, if she picks the dog up and goes inside ever time you come around, the dog will learn to dislike you coming around. Tat's how dogs are trained.

I missed that post of her's. My apologies to Lauren.

I suggest you mace the pup. If the owner is not the alpha, you can be. Once the owner sees what fido goes through being maced she'll do everything she can to prevent it from happening again. The added benefit being that if the owner gets in your face she too can experience what fido experienced.