QUESTION
Can my apartment make me get rid of my dog?
Asked on May 02nd, 2015 on Animal Law - Florida
More details to this question:
I have a 2 year old lab/beagle mix.
I just moved into my apartment that has breed restrictions about aggressive breeds.
When I signed my lease I submitted a picture of my dog, as well as vet forms (to verify shots and vaccinations) and county registration for her; all of which state she is a lab/beagle mix.
My paperwork and picture were all accepted.
Now after 11 days of living at my residence I received a letter saying I have an unauthorized pet in my unit.
I went to talk to the leading agent in the office and he said he saw my dog and that she's a pitbull and not a lab/beagle.
I asked the agent if he was certified to visually verify dog breeds and he said he was certified.
He told me I would have to talk to the property manager to resolve the issue.
Can they make me get rid of my dog based off of speculation and sight even though they accepted my paperwork? What do I do?
1 ANSWER
Consumer Debt Collector Harassment & Abuse Attorney serving Tampa, FL
Partner at
Tischhauser Law Group
2 Awards
This is all going to revolve around what breed your dog actually is vs the paper work submitted. Unfortunately, some people with various breeds "unwanted" by landlords go to absurd levels to keep their dogs in rental situations including false claims of "emotional support animals" and in some instances actually getting dishonest vets to go along with the charade. If your dog is such a mix, a report from a repuatable vet stating the vets opinion or dna test, will be critical to support your position. A self designated county regisatration is not. What they can do is sue for eviction making you establish that the dog is what you claimed it to be, and a judge will decide who is right.
Answered on May 03rd, 2015 at 8:13 AM
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