Montanamngr Posted March 26, 2009 Share Posted March 26, 2009 Hi, I'm a Property Manager in Montana and I have a resident who is over the age of 62. She has been notified once verbally, and in writing 3 times, that she has to have her dog leashed in the common areas. She moved in last July. She was reminded verbally in August of '08, and reminded with a copy of the pet policy she signed, letting her know it is policy and not personel in September of '08. Then in a letter, giving her a highlighted copy of her lease, February '09. I informed my boss about this in February and she was going to write her a letter yet hadn't when I talked to her a few days later. I asked my boss to hold off, wanting to hope that this lady "GOT IT." And then today it happened again, not even a month later! I called my boss and now she's going to insist the dog, (which is a little ****zu and pampered like a princess) be removed from the premises. I'm not Jewish, but, "Oh E VAY!!!!!" Another lady, who happens to be my key keeper for emergencies and works with me for the better of the community, didn't have her dog leashed, and they were conversing at the other lady's door when this all occurred today. That woman received the 1st offense copy of her pet policy letter. I did not say a thing to the lady who is repeating the offense to the policy, but the two ladies chat often, so I don't know what to do. My boss is going to write the offensive woman and it's going to turn into chaos around here, yet the rules and regs are clearly spelled out! I feel so sad for this lady, yet I have to follow through! I have never had this happen in all my years of Property Managing. I too own a beautiful boy named Montana Max the magnificent marvelous, mini, managing mutt! I just can't imagine whats going to come down, or what I should be saying, because what I'm feeling is devasted, even though I know this woman brought it on herself! What can I say except that!!! Any and all advice would be helpful, Thank You! Link to post Share on other sites
laRubiaBonita Posted March 26, 2009 Share Posted March 26, 2009 first thing is to look in look in your(federal), state and local housing codes and make sure that she is within her rights, as a senior, to keep a pet. good ole housing laws! if it is applicable where you are, make sure her dog (old lady) is licensed properly with your/her jurisdiction. maybe you can speak with the resident manager and relay the info that having your dog off leash is not the worst thing.... especially if the old lady is a 'good tenant' and pays her rent on time AND cleans up after her dog..... plus the fact that the key keeper lady had her dog off leash while talking with the lady.... sounds discriminatory to me...... Link to post Share on other sites
2sure Posted March 26, 2009 Share Posted March 26, 2009 Clearly, if she signed the pet policy she is in violation and has been given liberal and proper warning regarding having her dog leashed in the common area. Does the signed "pet policy" indicate that when repeated violations occur the pet will have to removed? I ask, simply because it can be difficult to legally enforce this kind of thing - and your tennant may know this. Next question - and more to your point in asking how to correctly handle this from a social aspect.... In what way were you made aware she was violating the rules? Did another resident complain? If so, was it in writing or a phone call? If not - did you see the violation yourself and then begin the warning process and then notify your boss after your attempts failed to produce a change? Link to post Share on other sites
Author Montanamngr Posted March 26, 2009 Author Share Posted March 26, 2009 It does indicate and clearly states the pet will be removed after multiple warnings of a violation, and I caught her each time. I don't concern myself with resident gossip, that would be unprofessional. I also informed my boss after I gave the verbal warning. It was then i knew I had to start making things binding. This situation is just really hard for me as a person and not a manager. I don't know what she's going to do! but I know I'm at the front end of this and that wories me. Thanks for responding. Link to post Share on other sites
Island Girl Posted March 26, 2009 Share Posted March 26, 2009 Perhaps you should speak with the owner of a fine instead of removal. Sometimes people take things more seriously if they have a "hit" to their pocketbook. This will be especially distressing if she is on a fixed income but she won't have to lose her companion altogether. And the owner may appreciate a little bit of extra for the inconvenience of it all. It may not be worth having an empty apartment, etc. if it could possibly be resolved another way. Link to post Share on other sites
The Collector Posted March 26, 2009 Share Posted March 26, 2009 Unless she's senile, she knows she's doing wrong and hopes her senior citizen card will spare her the consequences. If she loves the dog so much, and can't bear to keep him leashed, she'll have to move. Link to post Share on other sites
sunshinegirl Posted March 26, 2009 Share Posted March 26, 2009 If you haven't so much as had a conversation with this woman, I would strongly urge you to do so before you take next steps. Find out what HER understanding is; whether she received the warnings; whether she understands the consequences; why she keeps having the dog off leash otherwise, etc. I'm a "spirit of the law" not a "letter of the law" person so part of me thinks that if the dog isn't causing any neighbors any problems, something like a fine (or a repeated fine) might serve your purposes just as well. Link to post Share on other sites
Author Montanamngr Posted March 27, 2009 Author Share Posted March 27, 2009 I have spoken to the woman, and she has been given 4 warnings in less than eight months. it's out of my hands now. It's in my bosses and they sent the letter today, registered and by mail. Please understand, I tried all that I know to help her understand she has been in violation of her lease. We are required by law to uphold each resident to thier lease agreement. Do for one, you do for all. If I could do anything differently I would conjure up a magic powder that would allow her to follow the rules like everyone else! The woman is not a woman that fell off the bus last weekend. She's pretty, sharp witted, extremely social, funny, outgoing and quick witted. She is not old and nimble by any means. So... here's where I'm at... she came into my office this afternoon and said her dog wanted to say hi and I said she could. She laughed and went on about her day, I kept working and she said goodbye, I said goodbye, have a nice day. My boss calls to tell me she sent the letter and a copy was in my mailbox, OK was all I said. It's done and the lady will get this tomorrow... She has until 4/8/09 to find a home for the dog or she is then in violation of her lease and eviction proceedings will being. This is the first time I have ever been through this and I feel bad all around, yet I know I need to be faithful to my job, because that's why I'm here. But, I can't help but feel for this lady! I'm kind of angry at her because DAMN! what part of "Lease your Dog" couldn't she understand!?! Yet still, she loves this dog! I have total respect for anyone who loves thier animal and takes supreme care of them. This is going to be extremely unpleasant! and right before the weekend! This S*cks!!!! HUGE! It's nice to know I can vent here, please wish us luck, we're going to need it. Link to post Share on other sites
era Posted March 27, 2009 Share Posted March 27, 2009 Her precious dog has to be REMOVED REMOVED - man, how I hate that word in connection with pets..they are living creatures, not garbage that needs ro be REMOVED. Telling her that she'll need to find a new home for her dog would have been much more humane. Anyways, looks like she'll be looking for a new place to live. I doubt very much that she'll ever give up her best friend, and constant companion. Can you recommend and help her find a new place? Surely you must have some connections. Link to post Share on other sites
Author Montanamngr Posted March 27, 2009 Author Share Posted March 27, 2009 In the official letter it does say she will need to find a new home for the dog. It's not inhumane, however the words Notice to remove pet from the premises is the title of the letter. I don't like it either, really I don't! As far as helping her relocate if it comes to that, ... We're a small community in a very hip, happening area, with tons of senior resources. She has lots of family here, it won't be a problem, just a very big emotional mess. Well, it's D day for us, wish us luck and have a nice day! Link to post Share on other sites
2sure Posted March 27, 2009 Share Posted March 27, 2009 If none of the other people that live there complained - this seems particularly harsh. The rules are to protect the residents , not punish them. I am all about dogs being leashed. But a little dog like that, with no other residents complaining...its enforcing the rule just because you can. Legally you are of course, correct. To the letter. Link to post Share on other sites
doushenka Posted March 28, 2009 Share Posted March 28, 2009 Montanamngr, I don't suppose you know what the odds of rehoming are for anything that is no longer small or cute? The dog will probably be dead within a month, but hey, letter of the law. Link to post Share on other sites
era Posted March 28, 2009 Share Posted March 28, 2009 but hey, letter of the law. Yeah...I was wondering about that too. He was the only one who spotted it...the tenant and her dog were not causing any problems. He could have turned a blind eye...I don't think he is nearly as compassionate as he claims to be. He sounds like he is on a power trip. Link to post Share on other sites
D-Lish Posted March 28, 2009 Share Posted March 28, 2009 So, you're going to remove a 62 year old woman's tiny dog from her because she lets it run off leash in the common area. You haven't done your job if you haven't been able to communicate with her properly. You're actually going to oversee the SPCA physically remove her beloved animal from her arms? For crying out loud, man up, be vocal and do your job. If she came to your office today you should have sat her down and told her she must follow the rules or risk losing her dog. You knock on her door- and you tell her face to face- please keep the dog on a leash or she will lose her home and her dog. You had a chance to address this when she came to your office and you didn't do it. Link to post Share on other sites
Gold Pile Posted March 28, 2009 Share Posted March 28, 2009 People who knowingly continue to violate the lease they agreed to are dishonest, arrogant, inconsiderate criminals. The violator deserves no sympathy at all. She is the the party responsible for the dog's plight. Link to post Share on other sites
nobody's girl Posted March 29, 2009 Share Posted March 29, 2009 I'm a little late to this conversation, but has it occured to anyone that perhaps this elderly lady is not physically able to leash her dog? She could have arthritis in her hands that prevents her from working the leash. Or she could have arthritis in her back that prevents her from bending over. Perhaps there could have been an option to help her find a dog walker to assist her in properly caring for her pet before removing it from her home. Link to post Share on other sites
Author Montanamngr Posted March 29, 2009 Author Share Posted March 29, 2009 Thanks GP, I agree. Everyone signs the same lease and everyone is accountable for thier own pets. Everyone else follows the rules. She is the only one who has been warned 4 times before action had to be taken. If it is ignored, if a blind eye is turned, it only makes me an inept manager. She got 4 warnings and I've spoken to her more than required. My heart does go out to her, I'm human! but the rules in community living, are the rules!So as it went down... We talked on Friday, and she asked me to explain (seriously!) why this had to happen. I was stunned. I basically reiterated the letter stating the facts and she said, "the dog was curious about the people in the hall." I let her know that as a pet owner, we control the pets, the pets don't control us. I also let her know that my boss wrote the letter, not me, because it is not my call to make, she took things out of my hands when she didn't follow the first 4 warnings, plus discussions! She asked how my boss knew! I said, "because I report to her!!!" So, if she didn't reach my boss on Friday, I'm sure she'll get her Monday! Link to post Share on other sites
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