Stir the pot on animals... - Landlord Forum thread 355275

Stir the pot on animals... by P-Bone (NY and OH) on December 4, 2017 @13:20

So, I thought I would stir the pot on service animals, whether it be a trained service animal or other emotional support animal. I know there are some organizations that work with dogs as support animals for people suffering from PTSD. With everything that everyone has discussed, what safeguards do landlords have, if any, from an aggressive breed service animal? Now, keep in mind if the animal was formally trained and meets a specific purpose, I don't see this being an issue. But, for emotional service animals, what stops a person from getting a very aggressive bulldog or pit? Can you deny that person based on the inability to insure it, in the case where your insurance won't cover an aggressive breed, or do they have to bend those rules for the emotional service animal as well? What happens when they have rules not to cover you, but you can't use that as a basis to deny without bein sued?

Ready, go...

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Re: Stir the pot on animals... by Garry (Iowa) on December 4, 2017 @14:44	[ Reply ]

OK, I'll take a stab at it. First, there ARE insurance companies out there that will insure any breed of pet. You just have to find the right ins. comp., and pay the price. I'm sure LLoyds Of London will insure ANYTHING, for the right price. Second, you can "self" insure yourself-------an expensive proposition-----most people don't have and extra million just lying around. Next, WHO says you have to insure your property for ANYTHING ?? If you have a mortgage on your property, you have to insure the property, naming the bank as the payee if the place burns to the ground, or a tornado destroys it. But if the property is paid for, and the LL wants to be totally stupid, he/she does not have to carry any kind of ins on the property. I've been a LL for over 35 years, have 20 rentals, and have always allowed pets. And, yes, I have had pit bulls, mastiffs, chows, and dobermans in some rentals over the years. Other than the damage "sometimes" caused by the animals to the properties themselves, I have NEVER been sued by ANYONE over dog bites caused by the Ts dogs. Does that mean it can't happen ? NO. All of us carry fire ins. on our properties, yet when was the last time you used the coverage ? I've got a dozen properties, 80-120 years old (and most with original wiring in them), and they have never had a fire in them. To me, not allowing certain breeds of dogs because ins. won't cover them, is a copout. The ESA laws say the SPECIFIC ESA animal must not be aggressive towards anyone. So check it out. Have the prospective T bring the dog to meet you at your rental. If it's aggressive towards you, deny the people the place. And, finally, the service and ESA laws are Federal laws, and the ins. comps must follow them, just as all LLs must do. It's just that the ins. comps have not kept up with the laws. Call up HUD, or your local civil rights org. and see what they have to say about our discussion.