Man's Best Friend Sometimes Hard to Live With

Landlords and homeowners associations make it difficult owning large dogs or dogs

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By Alexis Fernandez

ANCHORAGE - A dog is a man's best friend, but it's also tough to find a home when you've got Fido as a roommate.

“Even though we know that a lot of that has to do with upbringing, the landlord is going to be very concerned, “ said Kevin Cross, owner of Cross and Associates.

He says landlords or homeowners associations tend to be tougher on dogs that are bigger or have bad reputations, like pit bull mixes.

“You’ll see less resistance from a seller when you're buying a house and have animals than you will with a condo association, and the rules and the conveyances that surround that property,” he said.

Brooke Taylor, a spokesperson for Anchorage Animal Care and Control, says sometimes a dogs reputation is undeserved.

“What people should really focus on is not the breed it is, but proper socialization of that dog and proper training, those factors are hugely important especially while the dog is very young,” she said.

Cross says knowing your options could also prevent you from ending up in a sticky situation.

“Once you're in and you get an animal, its much more difficult, typically if you sign a lease, one year contract, and now that you've signed that else, trying to renegotiate, you’re really renegotiating from a point of weakness to try and bring in an animal,” he said.

The bottom line is do your research before taking on another family member.
 

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fishtails said on Thursday, Jun 21 at 11:52 PM

Funny , I have a pittie and a lab. Pittie wouldn't hurt a fly. The lab bites. He had been abused and has come a long way but there are certain situations where he can't be trusted. Eventually he'll come around but I don't know that I would ever completely trust him like I do my pittie.

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I hate dogs said on Friday, Jun 22 at 12:40 AM

I hate dogs, I am not sure why they are called man's best friend. I think that maybe no animal was made to be a pet. But that's just me....lol.

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dog lover said on Friday, Jun 22 at 3:41 AM

I have a service animal. It's illegal to discriminate against a person in housing (rentals/lease etc.) if they have a service animal. If you have a service animal and get resistance from landlords contact Access Alaska or the Americans With Disabilities Law Office...here in Anchorage. They can help you and give you/landlord proper information.

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koaltrane said on Friday, Jun 22 at 7:18 AM

There is no such thing as a bad dog, only bad dog owners. People are the problem here, but the dogs pay the price.

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Raven33 said on Saturday, Jun 23 at 9:55 AM

A homeowner has the right not to rent to people with animals. It is his property and the value of the property could go down if a pet destroys it. If some law states that you cannot stop a service pet from being allowed, then there should be a financial contract written with the tenant that makes them 100% responsible for any damage caused by their service pet.

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Mike J said on Sunday, Jun 24 at 6:19 PM

I have a Huskie with some behavioral problems that turns out came from the kennel of that abusive breeder in the valley. Hard to blame the dog because it takes longer to train her, since she is rescue. So not really fair if there is a problem finding housing for one who is a foster family for a pet or a rescue.

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