What are my rights as a renter who lives in the same complex next to people who refuse to tie up their dog?

Question

I live next to people in a duplex that have a dog against the lease contract. They have been asked by both us and the landlord to tie the dog up. I have called the town since we the town we live in has a leash law but they still refuse to just tie the dog up. It has come after me and barks at me when it is outside, and it weighs probably over 85 lbs and could take me out. It has not bite me only run after me snarled and barked. I don't know if the dog is licensed or registered but I do know that they lied about the dog and have told us that they will not tie it up. I'm scared of it and I don't want to get bit, even though I see that as being the only thing that may make them actually tie the dog up. What do I do if they won't listen to the landlord who won't evict them and the town won't do anything unless they catch the dog outside which they happen to make sure it gets back inside whenever the dog warden comes. Please help.

Answer 1

Animal control should be able to help and keep calling the city to make complaints. The landlord has the right to evict this tenant because of this as well. Talk to the landlord about this, tell him you are considering moving and there is NO WAY he will be able to get another renter in that duplex with a mad dog running around barking at people.
If the dog comes up to you and barks at you every time you go outside, personally I would call the police and tell them there is a unleashed vicious animal running around.

Answer 2

Push the animal control board in your town to issue these people a citation for refusal to tie the dog. If there is a leash law and it is being violated, a citation can be issued for refusal to comply..

Frankly, I do not understand your landlord either. If having the dog is a violation of the lease, why isn't he enforcing the terms of the lease ?

Also, use caution in either withholding rents or attempting to use an escrow account. Those laws vary by state, and not all states offer such a resolution.

Answer 3

If they have a dog against the lease contract the landlord has to step up to the plate and evict them. If he refuses and it is jeopardizing your health and safety (which it seems it is) you can legally pay your rent to the court in an escrow account. Look up in your state's online laws under 'landlord tenant'...if that is too confusing, believe me reading online laws ARE confusing, call your county courthouse (or visit in person) and ask for the civil division, ask how to pay rent into an escrow account...

usually you must send your landlord a letter one month prior to paying your rent to an escrow account..you must denote that the tenants are violating the lease and that your health and safety are in jeopardy and he must rectify this or you will pay your rent to escrow....

your county might dog licenses on line...look to see if it is licensed....if not, call the dog warden and tell him the dog is not licensed violating the law....

the most important thing for you is to DOCUMENT the dog being out unleashed....do you have a camera phone? a digital camera?? VIDEO IT!!!

good luck!

Answer 4

a dog against the lease contract..
my peer said it well--
move.

also, when you walk, buy that
spray crap and spray the dog!

100% legal.

I call, without hesitation, the
PHX [where i am] animal control
and they go out within 3 days
and talk to the dog's owner!

I always get action.

spray first, then call.

Answer 5

Housing includes a right of quiet enjoyment and you sure don't have any! tell the landlord that you will have to move if this isn't resolved. and give them notice in writing and then MOVE!