I need opinions/advice/thoughts/anything. Please respond. I live in a building that is *technically* pet-friendly, but up until this past week has been a cat-only building, with an unspoken no-dog policy. Recently, the landlord permitted people to move in who have a dog. Here are some things I've noticed ... The dog barks. Loudly. Thankfully, he doesn't bark frequently, but he barks loud enough that it wakes me up. When the tenants are smoking on the back step (not far enough away from the door, and such that their lingering cigarette smoke goes into our open kitchen window, therefore leaving us with either a) a stinky apartment or b) a stuffy apartment), their dog is off the leash. I got home the other day and the dog promptly jumped up on me, getting a mud puddle on my *nice* black leggings after church. Today, I got barked/growled at, and the dog again tried to jump up on me. Between the pile of stuff on the step and the dog, I wasn't particularly comfortable walking into my building. The tenants and the dog, with their combined slamming of doors and barking, are scaring my cat into hiding in one of the drawers under my bed (by removing all of the clothes in that drawer to ensure his entry into said drawer even though I build a daily Fort Knox to keep the drawer closed). So, what do I do? I like this apartment, I like the landlord, I like my new roommate, I like my cat, and I like pretty much everything here except the new tenants, and their dog. My landlord made it clear to me that if there were 'problems' with the dog, they wouldn't stay, but I don't want to be THAT person, but I also don't want to feel like I can't go into my apartment when I get home. (They're chain smokers, so they're outside more than they're in). How do I do? Is it within my rights to ask if they can keep their dog leashed, or at least smoke farther from the door? Do I mention something to the lovely (disorganized) landlady? Do I just keep my mouth shut and growl about these things? I'm pretty sure the landlord just dropped the value of living in the building exponentially by bringing this dog in -.-
No, you don't need to put up with this - The dog sounds aggressive at worst, and extraordinarily poorly trained at absolute best. I really like dogs, so that's sad to read about. It should not be jumping on people and definitely should not be growling and barking at you. That isn't a safe or happy situation for anyone. If you get bitten in the future, their dog may get put down, and it will be their fault. The dog needs to be leashed (and almost certainly a muzzle as well, but good luck convincing someone who won't even use a leash). The law almost anywhere that people live in apartment buildings agrees - Take a look at your local codes. There are also laws about smoking near the entrances to buildings in many cities - Something else to look up. Not a sure thing, but a thing. You have a right to not have cigarette smoke in your apartment. Apartment politics are hard, and I know that it sucks to rock the boat. But you do not need to put up with this. I would try to handle it in the most low-key way possible. I would mention it politely to them first, if you think that you can do so on neutral ground - If not, skip that step. Come with laws on your side, perhaps present it with an air of concern rather than the frustration that I'm sure you feel, if that's something you can do. If their behaviour doesn't improve, and they are still directly impacting your living situation I do think this warrants bringing up with the landlord - As casually as possible at first, so there's not antagonism right out of the gate. And if you ever truly feel like the dog may soon bite you (or if it DOES bite you), do not pass go or collect $200 dollars - Call animal control. But again, no. You have a right to a safe and comfortable home - And they are in violation of that by impacting your living situation. Good luck.
