service animals, weight limits and apt complexes (San Antonio, Anton: apartment, eviction)

[saltwater heaven]

service mutts(dogs),

neighbors have a GIGANTIC service dog despite there being a weight limit on animals in our apt complex. law says manager cant do anything, however dog lunges at every person that does not live in that apartment.

i already complained to my manager and to animal control, as the dog is constantly outside with no leash on with owners present. due to the supposed service animal status of the mutt, landlord cannot evict based on pet size.

my question would be, is there a registry or some type of database of service mutts and someone to contact to question the validity of the service mutts owners need?

i realize not all disabilities are visible, but the person in question exhibits no physical disabilities, so im assuming its an emotional support mutt... which brings up another question:

how can a dog that acts violent towards any animal/human be considered a service mutt? since i have video surveillance of my property, ive already got proof that the mutt walks around with no leash with the owners present. apt management has that video also and said they will issue a notice to comply.

[goodmanm]

Google it?

Office of the Governor Rick Perry: Committee on People with Disabilities - Service Dogs

I've never seen a service dog lunge at someone.....the link above states that if you see someone abusing the law to report it to authorities. I think that not only support service dog owners but is an avenue to report those faking it.

[saltwater heaven]

Originally Posted by goodmanm

Google it?

Office of the Governor Rick Perry: Committee on People with Disabilities - Service Dogs

i did and pulled up that link already. im still digging around it but the most i get is a training facility. grrr. the search continues. thanks for your input though!

[Hedgehog_Mom]

The landlord can request proof from the disabled person that they are disabled and require a service dog. The proof would be a letter from their medical provider.

There's no registry where you can check if someone has a legit service dog or not. It would be an invasion of the disabled person's privacy to have a list like that available.

Hopefully the dog's owner will start keeping it on a leash, which is a reasonable request. The landlord is pretty limited in what they can do about the dog.

[Bo]

San Antonio Animal Codes overview (PDF)

All dogs must be confined to their owner's property at all times except when on a leash. Animal Care Officers have the legal authority to enter unenclosed front yards of private property to impound unrestrained animals.

I don't see any mention in there of an exception for service animals. Call 311.

[saltwater heaven]

Originally Posted by Bo

San Antonio Animal Codes overview (PDF)



I don't see any mention in there of an exception for service animals. Call 311.

thats about all i can do. LL is hoping the video/pictures i have can get the ball rolling.

apparently, 12 other people have complained as well but she cant break the law :\

[prim8]

It seems like evicting the person is overkill here.

The best path seems to be contacting someone about making sure the dog is kept on a leash.

[saltwater heaven]

Originally Posted by prim8

It seems like evicting the person is overkill here.

The best path seems to be contacting someone about making sure the dog is kept on a leash.

agreed, but LL brought up the eviction thing. i just informed her i dont feel comfortable walking my kittehs, or even going outside, when that big dog is outside.

and to add fuel to the fire: the neighbor directly across the way from them? he has a black lab now thats pushing 60# but its not a service dog. sheesh, people....

[rctsat]

Unfortunately the term "service dog " gets abused. I had an acquaintance who thought he was cool because he had a letter stating the his Rottweiler was a service dog. This letter allowed him to take the animal with him where ever he went just as if it were a "seeing eye dog" and no one could say anything to him. I thought this was an abuse of the law and a disgrace to the person using it. There needs to be a stronger method to restrict people from taking advantage of this "loophole" in the law to take their pets with them where ever they go. I was at an outdoor concert the other day and some guy had a little terrier running around with a jacket on stating " service dog" I'm sorry but this is ridiculous and should be corralled before it gets totally out of hand.

[yepyepyep]

Bo's link through Texas Human Resources Code, Section 121.003(j) link:

(b) A person with a disability who uses an assistance animal for assistance in travel or auditory awareness shall keep the animal properly harnessed or leashed, and a person who is injured by the animal because of the failure of a person with a disability to properly harness or leash the animal is entitled to maintain a cause of action for damages in a court of competent
jurisdiction under the same law applicable to other causes brought for the redress of injuries caused by animals.