05/03/2024
Breed restrictions; If you believe you do not have a voice against breed restriction, YOU DO!
The HOA was planning on implementing a breed restriction, naming numerous breeds, and 'BUT NOT LIMITED TO'...(most people are not going to read a ton of paperwork from their HOA).
My friend posted this proposal on the neighborhood FB page, and Nextdoor. No one was aware, and the pushback was huge! People were very upset, and against this.
The vote is a couple months away, but the Board members are getting a ton of pushback, and anger. And the pressure will continue.
Because she knew it was wrong, she spoke up, and fortunately she did! NEVER think you don't have a voice to be an advocate.
HER LETTER;
My question for the Board is….. why are you proposing a ban on dog breeds?
As a part of the new governing documents, homeowners will be asked to vote on, the board plans to include the following:
Section 10. No Dangerous Breeds. Dogs commonly deemed a dangerous or aggressive breeds by home insurance companies, including but not limited to, wolf hybrids, bull terriers, Chow Chows, Doberman Pinschers, Rottweilers, Pit Bulls, Staffordshire Terriers, are banned.
My background and reason for concern:
As a dog owner of two rescues, a foster, and a volunteer at rescues finding forever homes for dogs and cats, I find this topic very subjective and discriminatory based on my experience and research. I seek only to protect the community, protect the current owners of these breeds, and to protect the breeds being wrongly identified.
Facts:
On Oct. 1, 2023 House Bill 941 went into effect in Florida, prohibiting governmental public housing authorities from banning dogs based on their breed, weight or size. The law also overturned remaining breed bans ,by local governments.
Pit bulls are legal in all of Florida and there are no US states where Pit Bulls are banned from the entire state. Miami repeals BSL (Breed Specific Legislation). According to the American Temperament Test Society, Pit Bulls passed and were voted the fourth best of the 122 breeds.
Under the Pam Rock Act, a dog owner who has knowledge of their pet's "dangerous tendencies" must securely confine the dog in a proper enclosure, which might be indoors, in a locked fenced yard, or in any other secured locked structure. When bringing the dog outside, the owner must make sure the animal is muzzled.
The solution to keep others and your dog safe is promoting responsible pet ownership, training, and keeping them on a leash whenever they are outside of the house or fenced-in yard. Palm Beach County Ordinance Chapter 4: It shall be unlawful for any dog to be off the owner's property unless the dog is under the restraint or control of a person by means of a leash or other device such as a cage, crate, or vehicle, in accordance with section 4-24.
Why to focus and enforce the leash law, in place of breed restrictions:
1-we currently have many owners of the breeds the Board is banning and they have been responsible with them. Dogs should be registered, vaccinated and leashed; a committee may be set up to handle community pet issues that arise.
2- we have roaming dogs
3-where does the board draw the line; are mixed breeds included, are they conducting DNA testing, how did they determine which are “dangerous dogs” because all animals can bite.
4-“but not limited to” means that the Board has the power to add breeds to the restricted list without a community vote… ie: Shepherds, Boxers, Mastiffs, Great Danes…in other words, YOUR dog could be next!
5-insurance companies will NOT cover animal bites; making a ban of specific breeds… irrelevant. A stand-alone policy (if you can get one written) would have to be in place.
6- a potential breed discrimination suit can be filed since the ban statewide has no merit .
I hereby request the Board to reconsider and OMIT such a controversial ban in our new HOA governing documents as well as offering complete transparency by sending homeowners preliminary information of the updated docs for feedback, prior to seeking a vote.
Perhaps, spending a day in a rescue will help to make a critical decision.