Dog off-lead in my block of flats – what are my rights?

Missloute
Missloute Icon representing the flag French
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Hi everyone,

 

Here is my problem: there is a neighbour in my building who never keeps his dog on a lead. She is a "handbag dog" – sorry for the term, but I don't know the breed. Just to give you an idea of her size, she weighs maybe 4.5 lbs at most (about the size and build of a Chihuahua), maybe a Miniature Pinscher. As for me, I have a Golden Retriever who is nearly 12 months old and weighs about 5 stone (around 70 lbs).

 

So, back to the issue: whether it's outside or in the communal areas, his dog is never on a lead, and my dog pulls like crazy because he wants to go and play.

 

The problem is that the dog just wanders off, runs everywhere, and winds up my dog who is actually on a lead.

 

When we run into each other in the communal areas, or just in passing – like this morning when he was coming in and I was going out – I was still half-asleep and didn't see them through the glass door. It was absolute chaos again. My dog was lunging to go and play with her, the other dog was darting all over the place, and I almost ended up on the floor and nearly let go of my dog.

 

I already politely told him a couple of months ago that it would be a good idea to put his dog on a lead, and he just replied, "No, otherwise she chokes herself on her collar." 🤪... I mean, there are other types of harnesses and things! I told him that, but he just turned a deaf ear and walked off...

 

Sometimes I'm coming out of the lift with my dog and the neighbour is at the postboxes (which are inside the building) with his dog off-lead, and then it's just total mayhem. I try to control my dog, but he can't control his at all, and it's just running around in circles in a tiny space.

 

When he goes out, the dog isn't even wearing a collar. The owner walks out with his hands in his pockets, not even carrying a lead just in case. There's no way of securing her at all. 🙅

 

I've already warned my landlord several times (well, my partner warned them). At 10:30 this morning, I'm going to the housing office to see the property manager who looks after my building to make a formal complaint. 😠

 

But what recourse do I have? I'm really fed up. I nearly fell, and I have back problems (severe lumbago following a fall, which had nothing to do with this, I should clarify – my ankle didn't like a hole in the grass!) with a twinging sciatic nerve. I've already had two rounds of anti-inflammatory jabs. If I fall again, it could leave me bedridden. One day something is going to happen: either I won't be able to hold my dog back (who is always on his lead), or I'll end up on the floor, or my dog will give the other one a swipe with his paw and hurt her. I know he'll be the one blamed, but who knows what the neighbour might say afterwards...

 

Thanks for any answers. Sorry for the long post and any typos there might be.

Translated from French
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    Anonymous user Icon representing the flag French
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    I completely understand; that nightmare neighbour is only mentioned for a laugh and to show just how twisted some people's minds can be. Your friend is terrified every time she takes her dog out, her car's been keyed, she’s even thinking of moving... It's absolute madness! In your position, I wouldn't let my dog off the lead. And yet, like Dolcine, I’m all for freedom and being flexible. The issue is, your two dogs are best mates, which is great, but then the little old lady from the 5th floor comes out, the two of them are playing, she takes a tumble 👍 And then what...!? In a community, your freedom ends where someone else's begins. I find it sad and a right pain that it has to reach such extremes, otherwise you'd be sending some 6ft-plus mates in hoodies round to threaten him... "Oi, you muppet, start putting your dog on a lead, or you won't know when or where it's coming, but you’re going to have a bit of a problem."
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    Anonymous user Icon representing the flag French
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    Missloute, you shouldn't always imagine the worst in every situation, otherwise you'll never do anything. It just holds you back and your dog picks up on it. Stay calm and let him off the lead; you'll see for yourself how it goes.

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    Missloute
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    ===> Jimlolo

    "Your dog won't be aggressive if this little girl doesn't attack him"

    I don't even know if Arès would be nasty even if he were attacked... When we first got him at 2 months old (February 2015), he was attacked by one of my in-laws' dogs and bitten on the head. It was only a superficial wound, so he was okay... He almost got nipped again about 3 months ago; it was a close call. He had a little mark on his muzzle but no bleeding, and he didn't even snap back. You’d think he’d at least growl or something, but no, nothing... Maybe he will in the future.

    ==> Rudy Demontes

    They met this little dog a long time ago. They’re only doing it to play, there’s no aggressive behaviour involved. The problem is that the other dog is constantly winding Arès up, and it’s getting really tiring having to keep pulling my dog away while she keeps darting back and forth. If Arès gives her a playful swipe with his paw, she’s going to get hurt. We're talking about a dog weighing nearly 5 stone (70 lbs) against a little thing that's barely 4 lbs... To be honest, this morning I didn't even speak to the neighbour, not even a hello, nothing. I just kept going as best I could. His dog ended up in the middle of the road right on a bend (not my problem at all) teasing Arès, but I would have been really upset if she’d been run over; I do have a heart, after all...

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    Anonymous user Icon representing the flag French
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    Hi Missloute,

    I’m not entirely sure why you’re hesitant to let your dog off the lead. Doggy interactions usually go much more smoothly when they’re off-lead. You just need to trust your dog and let him off when there are other dogs around.

    I’m inclined to agree; if your dog isn't aggressive, there shouldn't be an issue. Even if he gets a bit too close, the other dog will soon let him know.

    Generally speaking, Goldens aren't nasty dogs—they usually just love to play.

    Best of luck

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    Missloute
    Missloute Icon representing the flag French
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    Hi there, Does your dog have good recall? No, my dog’s recall is rubbish, haha. And I wouldn’t dream of letting him off the lead, as it would only end in disaster for me. ==> Lolaetulysse I’m not like that at all. What I’m most afraid of isn’t someone hurting Arès—and if anyone did hurt mine, the other dog would get a swift boot (sorry, but nobody touches my dog lol), they’d definitely get the message and I’d be reporting it. What I’m really worried about is my lad accidentally hurting someone while trying to play, and that’s why I’m being so firm. If Arès gives that little dog a swipe with his paw, she’s the one who’s going to get hurt, and that’s what really worries me. I’ve already told the owner and he knows Arès is strong. Arès doesn't even growl at her; he actually whines to go and play with her (which breaks my heart). He’s the same with the local cats (he’s used to being around cats at my in-laws'), but they usually just scarper, lol. So that’s the point really. I’m not fed up with the other dog, far from it—when I see her without Arès, I always give her a fuss. But when I’m with Arès, it’s always a total nightmare with her being off-lead; she’s constantly taunting Arès and I’m the one who has to try and hold my dog back as best I can.
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    Anonymous user Icon representing the flag French
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    Hi Missloute,

    I don't quite understand why you're reluctant to let your dog off the lead. Doggy meet-and-greets go much more smoothly when they’re off-lead. Have a bit of faith in your dog and let them off the lead when there are other dogs around.

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    Solenneb
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    You should let your dog off the lead so he can play with the neighbours' dogs! If they’re okay with it, I don't see what the problem is! My St Bernard was put in his place by a tiny Chihuahua when he was younger... Dogs know how to communicate with each other... The issue here is that you're just frustrating your dog... You're scared he'll hurt the other dog, but even little pooches are surprisingly tough, believe me!! You’ve just got to let them set their own rules and boundaries...
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    Missloute
    Missloute Icon representing the flag French
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    Edit: Well, that settles it then (I actually find these house rules very lenient!). What exactly is the role of this 'customer relations officer'? I don't know much about living in a block of flats, but I thought when it came to house rules, it was up to the managing agents to make sure they were being followed properly... When you live in a shared community, you can't just rely on neighbours getting along... there are set rules meant to help with that so that everyone respects each other's peace and quiet. You shouldn't feel guilty for having a young, playful dog (at least he's easy-going for now, but in a bit his personality will really start to come out and he'll put the moaners in their place...), your only worry is making sure he doesn't cause any trouble, damage, or accidents. The customer relations officer is actually the building’s caretaker. Except she doesn't live on-site; she just has an office for drop-in hours, twice a week for two hours. She’s responsible for several of the agency’s developments in and around the city. She’s the person to contact for any issues like neighbour disputes, damage, or a lightbulb blowing in the communal areas (for problems inside the flat, like plumbing, resealing, electrics, or the intercom, we have a maintenance company we call directly who are under contract with the agency).
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    Anonymous user Icon representing the flag French
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    Take a photo of the rules with your phone and file a report. These disputes are stupid, but if a formal complaint is the only way... I agree with the point Dolcine's making, even if I don't like her tone... A Yorkie was grabbed by the throat in its own home by a big dog, and the big dog's owner was actually a friend of the family. It all happened in a matter of seconds; they'd just got into the garden and then inside the house when the dog went for the Yorkie. The owners tried everything to get the little one away from him, but it was no use... :(

    On another note—totally changing the subject—here's another type of row... Someone living in a block of flats lets her dog off-lead (she’s a lovely dog), which has wound up a horrible neighbour who threatened to purposely throw herself down the stairs just to file a police report. The police have been involved several times—a bucket of water was thrown from the balcony as the owner walked past, graffiti on the letterbox (all lovely stuff like that, the neighbour certainly doesn't lack imagination :-))). Since last summer, she’s been taking her phone out with her when she walks her dog so she can record any threats if they happen. Human stupidity is as laughable as it is tragic; it’s absolutely mental!

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    Missloute
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    Right, does it mention that dogs have to be kept on a lead... or anything else about them?

    "Only domestic pets are permitted, with the exception of banned breeds (as defined by current legislation), exotic animals, and other non-traditional pets.

    Pets must not be allowed to roam free, and their behaviour must not disturb the neighbours' peace and quiet, nor the hygiene and cleanliness of the premises and communal gardens. When taken out, they must be kept on a lead or in a pet carrier.

    The cost of cleaning or repairing any fouled areas will be the responsibility of the pet owner.

    Breeding and slaughtering animals is strictly prohibited both inside and outside the property.

    Keeping pets on balconies is discouraged. However, if you have no other choice, you must ensure that it causes no nuisance to your neighbours (noise, hygiene, etc.)."

    It’s even posted on the letting agent's website.

    Translated from French

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