Seven dogs in three years

[CreepyWeeBrackets]

Sorry to barge in but this seemed the best place to ask as I know nothing about these issues, only that it is a problem.

A family I know have just acquired their seventh. They have never had any serious problems with the dogs, just get bored with them and have tried out several breeds. They have PTS and re-homed when it is decided that the dog no longer suits, or when a new baby is born.

Can anything be done about this? Surely it's cruelty when they are clearly unsuited to dog-ownership?

TIA

that's horrible! How can they be allowed to keep on buying the poor things. They sound quite vile. You are right to be worried

Need a bit of advice..
Basically moved into our private rented home over a year ago, tenancy stated if we wanted a pet to talk to the landlord/estate agent and permission was not allowed to be withheld without good reason.. We told the estate agent we had a dog when we viewed the house and again when we signed the tenancy he said no problem Aslong as we repair any damage that the dog causes. The dog has caused no damage at all, we have decorated the house lovely and really look after it, our tenancy is up and estate agent contacted us about renewing it which we were happy to do however he is now saying that we can't keep the dog as they have a no pet policy, i said how comes you said no problem etc about the dog when we moved in then? To which he said I never said that and didn't even know you had a dog! ( he's seen the dog on 3 inspections) he then said we have to get rid of the dog or face being evicted :(... Where do I stand in all this?! Do I really have to get rid of the dog, she's like our second child an DD adores her x

That sounds difficult Manda. Hope you get some good advice and I wish there were more people like you.

AllergicToNutters, yes - they are the most unpleasant people I know. Very well-off but completely selfish and narcissistic. I sure their attitude is the same as when a new baby comes along. Nice little novelty, lots of attention from people over the cute new arrival then...

Manda - I assume that your previous discussions were not recorded in writing? i.e. the agent's "no problem" response was verbal only?

You need to check your tenancy. If the wording re pets is "permission not to be witheld without good reson" (or similar), this is a good start.

Write a letter in the first instance to the landlord copying in the agent:

1. Note in the letter the original conversation allowing you to have the dog there - use dates and, as far as you can remeber, actual words used.

1. Draw the reference in the tenency to pets to the landlords attention quoting the clause itself in full.

1. Highlight the "permission not to be witheld without good reason" bit. State that you do not consider there to be any reason to withold permission. This is becasue

(a) you have already been permitted, orally, to have the dog in the house (see above); (b) you have maintained the house in an excellent state of repair with the dog in the house (quote dates and outcomes of prior inspections); and (c) in order to assess whether or not there is good reason to withold permission, each case needs to be considered on its own merits - a blanket ban (i.e a no pet policy) is by its nature unreasonable and you would like any reasons (of which you do not think there are any) relating to your case specifically to be set out fully.

Once you have drafted that letter, I would take it to the citizens advice bureau and get their advice before you send/take further steps. ASAP ideally - I would try and do this in the next day or so.

There are very onerous statotory provisions relating to eviction meaning that a landlord cannot simply turn around and evict. Citizens advice will be able to explain this to you.

At the same time, just in case you do not get a good outcome you might want to start to look into really good local rescues who would be able to advertise the dog while it remains with you - this would be better so that it doesn't have to go into kennels.

Unless I'm misunderstanding it this isn't about eviction as your current contract is about to end. Unless you have renewal terms written in to the existing contract, the landlord is entitled not to renew if he doesn't want to, and to change the terms in any new contract. A private landlord does not have to accept pets. There are notice rules which you may be able to use to your advantage, but the no pets rule is likely to stand.

Manda - do you get prior warning about inspections? Cant the dog just go somewhere on the days they inspect?

It if were me, Id rather find another house than get rid of a part of the family. There is always the chance that you will re-home him and get given notice anyway for whatever reason.

Manda, one thing that may be helpful is to offer a higher bond to the landlord. Some pet owners do this. It may also be helpful to offer to have the property professionally cleaned at the end of your tenancy. You can also get insurance which covers issues arising from damage caused by pets like this.

As the landlord has changed their mind since initially being supportive, can you think of any reasons why? Could your dog have inadvertently annoyed a neighbour?

Personally, I would not rehome my dog - they are a part of the family and I would simply seek alternative accommodation. This is what baffles me about yr situation - if you are otherwise a good tenant, rent paid on time, quiet, clean and tidy (which you sound like you are) then they should be delighted to keep you.

Six years here and this is my first thread hijack

I'm glad you're getting good advice here Manda. I wish you all the best.

i didn wonder how the two topics were linked Creepy . OP ±2 has well and truly hijacked this thread .

Creepy I'd give the RSPCA a ring for advice, I generally find the Dogs Trust more helpful but I think you need the RSPCA's clout so try them first.

I would say the serial re-homing wouldn't count as cruelty, however it speaks as to their fitness as owners and if they were on the RSPCA radar it may get them to change their behaviour. The putting to sleep makes me fume if it is definitely for no medical or insumountable behavioural reason, do you know the circumstances for certain?

Either way, ring one of the above and I wouldn't mind knowing what response you get.

Manda - is is not in your tenancy agreement about being allowed to have pets.
Our tenancy agreement specifically states we are allowed our two dogs and have agreed to repair any damage and we also paid double the bond to cover this.

My friend also rents privately and her tenancy agreement states she is allowed to have her cat there until it dies or they move, whichever comes first, but that they are not allowed another pet nor can they replace the cat if it dies during their tenancy,

Firstly omg I'm so sorry for the hijack!! Was reading your thread then thought I clicked off to start my own!! Ooops!

Secondly thank you for all your kind advice.. I've done what you said an have wrote a letter to the estate agent as i don't have the address of the landlord and have been ringing the estate agent all day but have had no reply.. yes the permission i got from them to have the dog was verbal I know now that I should have got it in writing totally didnt think at the time as they seemed so ok about us having the dog... I really can't understand why they want us to get rid of her, rent is always paid on time, we have decorated the house wonderfully and even the estates agent was very impressed on all occasions he has inspected.. Anyway going to post the letter tomorrow and go see citizens advice Monday in the mean time I'm asking around family to see if they could have her for a while as i can't let her go to a stranger because she is part of the family!

Thanks ever do much for all your responses :) and OP very very sorry for the hijack! Xx

No worries Manda - was funny!

Hope it all works out

(And I will look into RSPCA - thanks for that)

Hi Creepy I know a woman who does exactly the same thing, she comes across as a dog lover, and does seem to love them at the time, then rehomes them for some or other flimsy reason. It's very sad and used to make me angry . I know this woman herself felt abandonement issues all her life and in my attempting to understand why she would repeatedly do this with dogs I put it down to a bit of re- enactment of that.

CreepyWeeBrackets A similar thread has just come up and I was just wondering what happened if you have a mo?