[Dilangfh]

Okay here's the deal.

I OWN a condo in MD and a pit bull, and now everyone is scared of getting sued and people want me to get rid of my dog.
My dog Vladimir is 2 years old and needs personalized medical attention, so he's not going anywhere else without me.

Some people on the condo board have suggested that if I keep him muzzled whenever he's outside of my condo then they will allow him to stay. I'd really rather it didn't come to that, he hates muzzles and so do i, but this ruling has put me between a rock and a hard place.

At least I have a lot of fellow condo owners who recognize how sweet my dog is, but still this is america and the lawyers rule our minds and bodies through fear.
We've lived here for a year and a half, and I got a special exception for his size (over 25lbs) as a mandate before I took out my mortgage, but that doesn't cover this new law.

Some people say that "it's just a conversation" that I'm supposed to have with my condo board next week, but I suspect they are going to push this muzzle thing hard as an ultimatum. Are there any alternatives I can present?

I want to try suggesting a pronged training collar.. if that doesn't work maybe a gentle leader since those don't snap the jaw shut unless you tug on it, but I'm not happy with this situation at all!

[bestonlinepharmasy2]

I would move.

[Dilangfh]

I'm not a renter.. I have a mortgage and selling is something that is going to take some time, especially with a condo
i also have a little water damage that needs to be fixed...

[ionitiesk]

Do you have insurance? If you have insurance and it's not written in the community policy then they can't exactly tell you what kind of dog you can or can't have...thats what I've been told at least

[bestonlinepharmasy2]

Well I do not envy your situation. I have very little advice as I have never been in that situation... You say that there was an agreement that you could keep a dog over 25 pounds-- is that in writing? Im sorry you are in this pickle... good luck! I'm sure someone else with more experience will chime in.

[Dilangfh]

Do you have insurance? If you have insurance and it's not written in the community policy then they can't exactly tell you what kind of dog you can or can't have...thats what I've been told at least

IDK, who told you that? It looks to me like the new MD law will hold condo's liable for pit bulls.
I talked to the lawyer representing our condo board and she seemed to be under the impression that all of the condo owners could be held liable if my dog were to bite someone. Of course she wasn't my personal lawyer and may have other motives.

I have some kind of home owners insurance I believe. I just sort of piled all that into a folder some time ago though.

skmutt - unfortunately my agreement was restricted explicitly to having the 25lb weight limit waived, and it says all other pet rules still apply.

[ionitiesk]

Well in Georgia at least if it isn't written in your formal contract you signed with the community or board then they have no legality to make you move or remove the dog but they can put stipulations onto it. Laws are different in different states but when you do go talk to them or your attorney I would ask them if maybe you could get a temperament test done(a lot of places in Georgia now require it before moving in for any type of dog) and I would add the dog to your insurance policy regardless

[ionitiesk]

Someone on another post earlier mentioned an "umbrella policy" for your insurance also

[@Aerodyno@]

This one of the reasons I bought a house and not a condo... I don't like being told what to do!
So you have insurance and does the insurance company know that your dog is a pitbull?
I don't know much about the new law in Maryland, but it definately seems unfair to you, I hope you look into getting a lawyer of your own...

[Dilangfh]

This one of the reasons I bought a house and not a condo... I don't like being told what to do!
So you have insurance and does the insurance company know that your dog is a pitbull?
I don't know much about the new law in Maryland, but it definately seems unfair to you, I hope you look into getting a lawyer of your own...

I don't want to waste the money. It's enough just to keep up with my dogs vet bills and his expensive food (rabbit meat and potato)
The new law says any pit bull is inherently dangerous, much like a dog with a history of biting people.

Even worse it says any landlord that has a say over whether or not the dog can be on the premises can be held liable.
This potentially makes the liability extend to every condo owner in the building.

if maybe you could get a temperament test done(a lot of places in Georgia now require it before moving in for any type of dog) and I would add the dog to your insurance policy regardless

Sadly his temperament or training is irrelevant as legally he is declared "inherently dangerous" now in MD
Someone once said.. hell is the impossibility of reason

[CHEAPPoem]

Get a lawyer and take him/her to the next condo association meeting. Seriously. Make sure that everyone understands there is a very good chance the ruling that caused this mess will be rendered useless.

I am not a lawyer, but as far as I can tell no one but you, as the homeowner, could be held responsible if an incident did happen. But I do not know for sure and I think your best bet would to have an attorney of your own advise you. If you can't find a decent one who is sympathetic to your situation then keep looking! Find a dog lover who would do it pro bono or someone willing to take payments, if you have to.

Worst case scenario, they decide to vote to ban your breed and you have to rehome or euthanize your dog. You really need a legal expert on your side.

[Pypeassesty]

Get a liability umbrella policy and add the homeowners association as additionally insured. Then take the policy to the association and show them that you are willing to indemnify the association and carry adequate liability insurance to ensure they cannot be held liable. Will cost you about $300 per year and everybody can feel warm and fuzzy.

[casinobonusfrees]

This was brought up before the committee 6/19. Condo associations & HOA will likely face liability due to the wording of the ruling. More info : http://www.nationalcanineresearchcou...olesky-ruling/

[Dilangfh]

This was brought up before the committee 6/19. Condo associations & HOA will likely face liability due to the wording of the ruling. More info : http://www.nationalcanineresearchcou...olesky-ruling/

That was my understanding as well. What a terrible law

[vernotixas]

Hello there, also in Maryland. It sucks, and a lot of people will say "move" but let's face it. That's not going to work unless you move yourself completely out of state because stuff like this is happening everywhere in MD. I'd take the muzzle and teach your dog to deal with it, but make sure it's a nice comfy basket muzzle so he can pant and make noise

[Dilangfh]

Hello there, also in Maryland. It sucks, and a lot of people will say "move" but let's face it. That's not going to work unless you move yourself completely out of state because stuff like this is happening everywhere in MD. I'd take the muzzle and teach your dog to deal with it, but make sure it's a nice comfy basket muzzle so he can pant and make noise

his favorite thing ever is being able to smell stuff. a basket muzzle sounds like it would get in the way

[Dilangfh]

Oh wth .. it looks like it's LAW in MD that no pit bull can be out in public without a muzzle.
Any dog that's dangerous must have a muzzle, and all pit bulls are declared dangerous

Maryland Dog Bite/Dangerous Dog Law

[CHEAPPoem]

Pit Bulls have not been declared dangerous throughout the state. Your dog does NOT need to be muzzled unless you have BSL in your city/county that requires it. The court ruling that caused this whole mess is NOT legislation. It is legal precedent. That means that it matters in court and no where else. As long as you don't have an incident with your dog this ruling will not affect you other than causing problems with landlords who aren't willing to take the risk of a tenants dog getting him sued and HOA like yours fearing the same thing.

[casinobonusfrees]

MJJ, the judges ruled all Pits & Pitx's are inherently dangerous in the entire state of Maryland.

[CHEAPPoem]

A judge's ruling is NOT legislation. To have all Pit Bulls declared dangerous would take legislation. The ruling is NOT law.