Unattended Dogs in PA HOA

Started by MaggieM1 • 7 replies • 1645 views

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MaggieM1 (Pennsylvania)
Posts: 9

Posted:

We have a homeowner who insits that his dogs can be leashed outside all day unattended. I don't believe this is permitted anywhere. The Bylaws for the Association, however, state that they can be if they are ordinary dogs and not bred for commercial purposes.

Anyone ever hear such a rule?

Many thanks,
Maggie M
Property Manager in PA

Maggie McLaughlin
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PaulM (Pennsylvania)
Posts: 1,347

Posted:

MaggieM1: If your official docs state that dogs must be on a leash when outside, and the owner chooses to leave his dog all day on a leash, I don't see how that is a problem. The problem, would arise, however, if the dog is going to be barking or causing a 'nuisance', and then the nuisance clause would apply.

DuaneW1 (Georgia)
Posts: 34

Posted:

Maggie, you should also go online and check your Animal Control laws in Pennsylvania. Here in Gwinnett County, whether an owner 'thinks it is okay to leave a dog outside on a leash all day' isn't up for debate. It is against the law.

DonnaS (Tennessee)
Posts: 5,671

Posted:

Maggie,
The dogs are leashed outside all day, unattended you state.
Do they have water and shelter? Do they bark too much? If they are well taken care of , do not bark and have shelter and water, then there is nothing that you can do or should be bothered with.
IF any of those are a concern, then the local animal aspca or humane society should be called. Your ByLaws don't give you any leverage for action and unless this is an huge concern for others in the association, then you might consider other pet control rules.

RobertR1 (South Carolina)
Posts: 5,164

Posted:

I wonder if their is some kind of legal definition between "on a leash" and "Tied up all day, every day." Call the SPCA and take their advice. Ask that they pay a visit during the day to inspect how the dogs are cared for." Put the item on your next list of document changes.

MaggieM1 (Pennsylvania)
Posts: 9

Posted:

Thanks to all for their informative feedback.

Maggie M

GloriaM (North Carolina)
Posts: 829

Posted:

Maggie:

You can also apply the dogs if they have become a nusiance, under your "nusiance clause" in the CCR's.

MicheleD (Kentucky)
Posts: 4,491

Posted:

Our CC&Rs don't address dogs much, however we are not allowed to have a dog run of any kind. Our board has defined a dog run to include tethered animals.

Even if they didn't our local Animal Control ordinances prohibit dogs on leashes all day. They give some sort of maximum length of time dogs are allowed to be leashed outside.

I don't know what that max limit is. However, I really wouldn't be too worried since I would simply call Animal Control and request they investigate.

If the dog is being confined against the law, they will handle it. We won't need to get involved.

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