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DeniseC1 (Pennsylvania)
Posts: 25
Posted:
I live in Pennsylvania. The President of our board has been breaking the rules by extending a dog run from his property to a common ground tree. Recently, I was on the common ground with my dogs and husband, the wife of the President came out to the back of her residence and informed me I'd better get my dogs (two little cockapoos) away from her dog (very large bloodhound) or he will bite them. When I replied with "you're dog shouldn't be out here if he bites", she proceeded to tell me that I was on "her" property. I investigated the matter by visiting my local courthouse and getting a map. It turns out that 5 foot of her dog run is on common ground. When I brought this to the attention of the board and the Property Manager, they stated the "doctrine of laches" allows them to keep the dog run up. I also submitted photos of the dog run and the feces deposited all over the commond ground. The wife has also layed hay on the common ground, I assume to prevent muddy paws from coming into her house. In my last conversation with the Property Manager, she informed me she will be checking to see if they have adequate liability insurance in the event the dog bites someone. Not only is the President and his wife violating local ordinances by not picking up their dog's feces, they are claiming common ground as their own. It also states in our bylaws that if members are violating the rules, their voting priviledges will be suspended; which is not the case. My question is...how can a homeowner obtain liability insurance for a property they do not own. I SMELL A RAT!
DonnaS (Tennessee)
Posts: 5,671
Posted:

Denise,

Doctrine of Laches???? Do you mean "SQUATTERS RIGHTS??? What part of this world do they live in? And being the President, wow! He needs to have a reality check. Point out to them all about common area and the owners rights to not not claim it as their own.
This is far from an issue about insurance in case the dog bites someone, it is about them breaking the rules of the association. Your Property manager needs a boot also to get her back to the documents and what belongs to whom. You smell a big rat. Keep going after this infraction because your President is sending out a very bad message and that is it is okay to break the rules.Don't be afraid of this guy as you are totally correct in your concern.
DeniseC1 (Pennsylvania)
Posts: 25
Posted:
Thanks for your quick response. I intend to fight it to the hilt. You might find my other post interesting "Board Member Breaking Rules" regarding the Vice President.
BrianB (California)
Posts: 2,820
Posted:
doctrine of laches? no way.

keep fighting, and keep the rules on your side. You are in the right here, and don't let the buffalo you.

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