‘What Renters Want’ with Jessica Fiur: What Do You Do If Your Residents Have Dangerous Pets?

Recently, my husband and I took a weekend trip to wine country. While driving around trying to find a vineyard, our GPS took us to a parking lot. We were meant to drive over a bridge, but it was closed due to construction. There was a dirt road, though, behind a bank.

“Let’s just take it,” I said and drove on. “Our GPS will adjust and lead us from there.”

Ignoring the “private property” and “do not enter” signs, we drove on, like every cliched teenager in the first five minutes of a horror movie.

At the end of the very long dirt road was a house, with a young woman sunbathing outside.

“Guess we can’t get any further. Let’s just go back,” I said.

The girl put her fingers to her lips and whistled. And—I kid you not—a doberman pinscher the size of a horse ran out of the house, circled our car, and then charged.

It was totally like something out of Deliverance, except with less banjo music, and more screaming like a little girl (and I was yelling a little bit too).

I have never driven so quickly in my life.

Anyway, of course I was not surprised when I recently saw this article on Xfinity.com called “11 Riskiest Dog Breeds for Homeowners and Renters” and read that dobermans are the second riskiest to have in terms of insuring in an apartment.

Come here, Fluffy! Who's a good girl?

Have you ever come across a super-scary pet in your apartment community? What would you do if you found out one of your residents had what could be construed as a dangerous pet, such as a dog that seemed aggressive, or maybe even an exotic animal such as a monkey or tiger. Or maybe they have a pet that just seems strange, such as a chicken (seriously. Apparently that’s a thing now).

People of course love their pets, and don’t want to part with them. But what about the safety of the other residents? And what about the damage these pets could cause to an apartment? Then again, pets can be good companions. One person’s beast they see in their nightmares could be another’s best friend.

So, pop quiz, hot shot. You find out you have a resident with a large/unusual/scary pet. Do you ask them to get rid of the pet? Do you not care as long as no one else is complaining? What do you do? What do you do?

(P.S.: I know that dogs—including dobermans—usually have to be raised to be aggressive and are, for the most part, usually very friendly, lovable and loyal.)

-Jessica Fiur, News Editor

Photo credit: neelsky