HELP: Apt complex says yes to Rot but now says I have to get rid of him

[92StangMan]

About two months ago I found Stang on Petfinder.com and e-mailed the owner of the shelter, Stella, about adopting him. She and I exchanged quite a few e-mails and after filling out the adoption application, she invited me out to meet Stang. After meeting him I became attached and she said to take a few days over to think about it and get back to her.

The next day I went to the apartment complex managers -- since we allow dogs here and also have a GSD -- and asked. They were a little hesitant but said as long as he wasn't aggressive or barked a lot, it would be okay. I called Stella that night and said that I would like to adopt Stang and she said she felt comfortable about it because he was going to a good home and said that Stang really liked me.

I've had him for about a week and a half now and yesterday when I came home from work, I found a notice on my door that basically says we do not allow your breed of dog, you must get rid of him immediately.

I was hoping there was some mis-communication because one manager said that it was OK and maybe she didn't convey that to the other. I walked into the complex just about an hour ago and handed them the letter asking if something was wrong in a polite tone. She said that they've had quite a few complaints about me having a Rottweiler. I asked what the complaints were and she said because I walk him around the complex. I asked what was wrong about walking him around the complex and she said because people are afraid and one lady said that Stang lunged at her little dog two nights ago. I immediately said that her little dog ran towards Stang barking and Stang just looked at the dog and kept walking beside me, that he did absolutely nothing.

The manager I just talked to was the same one I talked to about adopting him and she said that she'll see what she can do but it doesn't seem so promising. We are going to have a meeting on Friday to discuss what will happen.

What would you guys suggest I do? I'm trying to find any kind of information that will back me up in regards to Rotties not being as aggressive as the uninformed people think. I even offered to take him to a vet and let them do a temperament test on him, which he would pass with flying colors, and she didn't say anything.

One of his papers has "mixed" listed as his breed and showed that to them to see if it would help our case. She made a photocopy of it and said she'll pass it on.

On the pet agreement it says no Rots, German Shepherd, Bulldogs and a few other breeds but there is a German Shepherd and a Bulldog here. I asked about adopting a Rot and they said yes as long as he behaved himself. Outside of him jumping up and down a few times before our morning walks and the handfull of barks (most of these were in the first two days were everything was still new to him), he has behaved extremely well. The people who live below me have two little dogs that bark all day and no one complains about it, but I walk a Rott outside who minds his own business, and people get scared. The false accusations are what also pisses me off, too. I am always with him when he's outside and he's always on a lease. He has NEVER lunged at a dog or even acted as if he was going to do anything.

I'm sure some people in here have been in this situation or one similar, so any advice would be appreciated. I'm going to contact the lady whom I adopted Stang from to see what she has to say. If worse comes to worse I'm going to search for a new apartment. Stang is an extremely good dog who wants nothing more than to be loved.

Any help is much appreciated. Thanks.

- Corey

[alice's mommy]

I am so sorry for what you are going through!!!! My ex husband's rottie (he got the dog in the divorce, I got the kids) also was targeted when we lived in an apartment building, with absolutely no reason. We ended up having to move. And yes, there were yappy dogs all over the place. Absolutely disgusting!

I hope others have advice for you that can help!!! I'd start searching for somewhere to live now, so you have options should you need them. Good for you for choosing your Rott over this exclusionary building!!! Again, so sorry!

[mjfish]

Since it says no Rotts in the lease agreement, I'm thinking you don't have much of a leg to stand on. You can complain that there are GSDs and Bulldogs also living there, but you may end up getting them kicked out as well. That being said...

Can you do some kind of "meet and greet", so those that are afraid can meet your boy and see that he is well behaved?

How about if you agree to muzzle him while you're out walking? I know that's not fair, but it may alleviate some concerns.

Unfortunately, you are going to run into a lot of this bias against the breed, regardless of how well behaved your dog is. I hope you don't have to move, but if that's what it comes down to, it may be best just so you don't have all the hassles. Good luck!

[poohbearsmom]

It is very likely that someone looked over the Insurance Policy for the Apartment Complex after Stang joined your family and there is breed specific language in the policy.

If you can find another place to live, will they let you break your lease without monetary loss (since they said you could have the dog, and are now saying you cannot) ? If this were me, I'd look into this possibility.

Good luck.

[Shelby427]

So sorry you have to deal with this - it's so not fair when it comes to our rotties. For the future, when looking for a new apartment (which I would start looking now) I would make sure it's in writing that I can have the rottie live there. But because it says in the lease agreement that rotties are not allowed, I don't think you have much to stand on - the higher ups can easily say "too bad, it's in our agreement, it doesn't matter what manager said what."

When we lived in an apartment, we had to call and ask dozens of landlords, complexes etc. and when we finally found one (crappy) apartment, it turned out our landlord also owned a rottie. He still insisted on meeting Shelby, and when he did, he agreed to let us live there. He would not however, let us get another rottie, saying having two dogs isn't ok, even though the neighbor had 2 small dogs. ARGH.

Good luck with your search.

[92StangMan]

mjfish, I'm not going to bring up the fact that there is a GSD and a Bulldog living here because I do not want them to go through the same thing. I offered to do a type of meet and greet with the people who will make the decision but she declined. On Friday I will bring it up again and mention that it's quite unfair to remove a dog from an apartment without ever coming in contact with it.

poohbearsmom, if insurance is in fact the reason, I currently have rental insurance through State Farm and will see if they can cover the dog since it seems State Farm is good when it comes to Rotties.

Tomorrow I will keep my eyes open and look around for apartments that will accept Rotties.

Thanks so far.

[Shelby427]

It may be hard to find a place in a complex - try looking for private landlords, sometimes they are easier to work with and have less rules.

[Bucky's Mom]

Originally Posted by 92StangMan

poohbearsmom, if insurance is in fact the reason, I currently have rental insurance through State Farm and will see if they can cover the dog since it seems State Farm is good when it comes to Rotties.

Actually YOUR insurance has nothing to do with the apartment complex liability issue. THEIR insurance that covers the common areas may have breed restrictions - if so - there is nothing that you can say or do to "convince" the manager - who probably didn't read the policy ahead of time.

Your situation illustrates why many rescue groups require a signed "permission slip" from a landlord before they will place a dog in rental property.

I am so sorry you are going through this - I wish I had better news.

[RebeccaJeeper]

I, too, am sorry for your unfortunate situation....it is ridiculous that this seems to be becoming more and more common. My mom lives in an apartment complex in North Carolina and wanted to get a Rottie, but found out that Rotties were the one and only breed that was restricted from the complex. She is now contemplating another breed, but has not chosen one as of yet. My mom lives alone and I would feel better if she had a dog with her. We can thank all the irresponsible owners and BSL propaganda that follows for rules such as this.
I am not sure what, if anything, you can do at this point. When I had my Rottie, Xie, in North Carolina, we lived briefly in a mobile home park which decided, after we moved in, to no longer allow Rotties. ( And, this was about 10 years ago!) Not that this was a bad idea for most of the residents, however, it is unfair for those who are responsible. We moved shortly after, as we had purchased property, but I do not know that we would have had any way to fight the restriction.
Renting with a Rottie can be very difficult, and I would suggest, as I think someone else did, possibly a single family home if that is possible. I am not sure what the rates or situation are where you live. Around here, houses are about the same cost as an apartment, but we had a hard time finding the one we currently rent, one which would even allow our Shelties. Many landlords were adamantly against any type of dog. Our current home allowed small dogs only, and we still had to pay a non-refundable pet deposit.
I agree that insurance may be the culprit, but who knows? It is unfortunate that there are people out there who see your dog just as a Rottweiler, and are not willing at accept and get to know him as a dog.
Good luck.....

[Calin]

I'd offer to muzzle my dog when walking in common areas, I'd get my dog into professional training and give them a note from my trainer, I'd get a note from my vet, and I'd promise them to get my CGC in a certain period of time.

If that didn't satisfy them, I'd move.

[Sheenagirl]

No it just isn't fair - what bias we get from people!
I agree with mjfish and Calin - I also would offer to muzzle my dog when outside on walks and get him into professional training for his certificate.
I would also keep looking for another apartment...
Good luck!

[rottielover2004]

When I was moving in here, they were at first a little skeptical.
I asked to speak to the owner of the building, within the meeting, I showed how recpectful, and how obedient my dog was. They were pleased. I have now been here for a little over 2 years, and they come to my defense if someone has a stupid complaint. ( only 1 time) because of breed.
But if they are not willing to compromise, then yes I would recommend looking for a new apt. The next apartment, make sure it is speculated in the lease that they will allow a rottweiler. That way if they change their minds, nothing they can do.
Here in Quebec, even if the apartment says no dogs, if you have a dog, they can not force you to dump it. Only if a bite is reported. Unfortunetly not enough people come into the deffence of their dog and get rid of the dog anyways :(

[poohbearsmom]

Originally Posted by Shelby427

It may be hard to find a place in a complex - try looking for private landlords, sometimes they are easier to work with and have less rules.

Absolutely true. Be on the lookout for a small home with a fenced yard, and a friendly landlord. Since you already have State Farm Insurance, check with them about liability insurance for your dog. If you've got that ammo in your pocket, you'll likely have an easier time finding a new home.

In the meantime, check for boarding kennels in your area to keep Mr. Stang until you've arranged for different living quarters.

[jlaack]

I'd offer to muzzle my dog when walking in common areas, I'd get my dog into professional training and give them a note from my trainer, I'd get a note from my vet, and I'd promise them to get my CGC in a certain period of time.

This would be my first course of action. Instead of splitting hairs regarding what another dog did to provoke your dog perhaps offer to keep him muzzled while on apartment property (except when inside your apartment) until YOU can find another place to live. I would throw in the training and CGC offer too, but unless you can have them put in writing that your dog is okay to remain then I wouldn't offer that (though those are things you should do with Stang anyhow).

Because you are violating your lease by having Stang at the apartment their removal of him could be swift; I doubt they would need to be heard in court over this one. Therefore you need to make it your number one priority to find a Stang friendly residence and you should probably look for a temporary one for Stang if necessary. While shelters/rescues do not want to have their dogs returned for situations such as this you might be able to contact Stella at the shelter to see if they could board Stang if necessary (offer to pay for this service). At least he would be in a familiar environment. The shelter would also be a good resource to inquire about pet friendly apartments as well as your vet. I realize you are frustrated because you received the verbal okay but it doesn't mean anything unless your rental contract was ammended in writing to allow for your dog.

[debbiej]

I don't have experience to pass on, but could the "mixed breed" aspect give you a place to split hairs? sorry you are having to deal with this. I'm glad Stang has you on his side.