Posted on 08/24/2005 5:24:55 PM PDT by gitmo
Association threatens $50 fine if pets urinate on grass
Ruthie Dahlstrom has put her University City condominium up for sale.
She decided to go because her dogs can't.
The Legacy at Davis Lake homeowners association has threatened to fine Dahlstrom $50 every time her two Shih Tzus urinate on any common area, which includes all grass.
Even the patch in front of her home.
"It's ridiculous," said Dahlstrom. "Dogs have to do what dogs do. If someone reports me every time my dogs urinate, it will cost me $18,000 a month."
The association's board approved the rule in July to protect the landscaping, said president Claire Fallon. The urine, she said, was creating "brown circles all over the place."
So where should the dogs go?
"The street," Fallon said.
It's the latest debate over homeowners association rules, which aim to protect property values but can create controversy if homeowners think they go too far.
Dahlstrom says the board didn't have the required approval from a majority of owners. Fallon says it was legal.
Dahlstrom still walks her pets in the neighborhood. So far, she hasn't been fined.
Veterinarian Marnie Gallagher said ammonia in dog urine can hurt grass. But she said it would be tough to train some dogs to go on the street.
Fallon didn't think so.
"I had a poodle once," she said. "That dog made at the curb all the time."
HOA's at work again.
Some of these "associations" have council members who are like little Hitlers, and they love the power. Silliest thing I ever heard. I understand that pet owners should pick up poop, but for crying out loud, can't a dog be a dog anymore? Why don't they put up some fake fire hydrants?
Fallon didn't think so.
"I had a poodle once," she said. "That dog made at the curb all the time."
It must be the feeling of power they get. The HOA's that is. Not the dogs.
What's the fine if a bum..I mean a homeless..I mean a domestically shelter challenged person lets it rip?
Then that "domestically shelter challenged person" becomes a "life challenged person". In other words, it would be a capital crime if the HOAs have their way.
Don't get me started on HOA's. Fortunately I think mine is afraid of me. At least I hope they are cause I speak back to them when others in my complex are too timid to do so. Also, couldn't she fight this under a grandfather law?
But if they do it in the street it will splatter all over their legs (cow p@ssing on a flat rock analogy here).
Urine deep doo-doo, lady....
I just got back from a HOA meeting tonite. I refer to my condo association as The Southpark Condo association cause they really DO sound like the characters in that cartoon series!
After I moved in a couple years ago, I attended the first annual owners' meeting. That was my first glimpse at their stupidity and insanity. The discussion was about getting needed flood insurance ( we are on the river in Florida ). One of the old timers yelled, "We don't need any flood insurance. We've never had it. Besides, anything COULD happen...Uh, I mean, gosh,Al-Quida could bomb us too!"
You get the idea.
Everytime I return from one of their meetings, I pray for George Bush. Can you imagine what HE has to deal with?!!
Neighborhood anti-dog brownshirts at work again. I have two in my neighborhood. I hope they are infested by lice and scabs.
HOA's - hall monitors for adults.
Sickos.
Anecdotal evidence makes for poor science
We had a neighbor that let their big dog pee all over the place and it really did burn the lawn. The owner was too lazy to take it to the designated area. They finally moved. I don't have a problem with the HOA enforcing these kind of rules - I don't want my place smelling like a dog toilet because someone is too lazy.
You know, you're really blowing our mood. This is an I hate HOA thread.
Oops!
Hey, I agree with you. This woman signed a contract when she purchased her condominium, agreeing to abide by the bylaws and regulations of the HOA. If she's not willing to do so, she shouldn't have bought the condo. If the HOA passes new regulations (duly according to its bylaws) that she doesn't like, she should move. Which she's doing. So everybody's happy.
Of course, the "duly according to the bylaws" thing is key. The woman is claiming that rule changes such as this require a majority vote of the owners, while it appears that the regulation was passed by the board. If that's the case, she should fight.
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