Cohousing-L Mailing List: Re: dogs in community

[Karen Carlson (kcarlson2]

Our community has recently adopted pet rules, a result of a very long 
and arduous process.  This idea of "teeth" also came up but I, and 
others, do not believe that pet rules should have any more teeth than 
any other rules and agreements we've adopted.  For example, we don't 
tract whether the obligatory 4 hours of community work per adult is 
accomplished nor do we track participation in work weekends.  One 
feature we did adopt for pets is an on-going pets-in-community committee 
so that we have a body thoroughly versed on how living with pets is 
going.  While we expect people to talk to people if pet behavior is a 
problem, both parties know there is a committee to talk to if needed.

Karen Carlson
Arboretum Cohousing Community
Madison, WI

On 6/24/11 8:43 AM, David Bygott wrote:
> As yet our rules have no 'teeth' other than social pressure. Individuals who object to unsupervised dogs entering their yards are expected to talk to the owners directly, and owners are expected to be considerate to neighbors' feelings on this. On each of our main entry gates we have a sign showing a picture of a dog on a leash - no words - and most visitors get the idea. 
>
> My take is that involving the whole community in constructive brainstorming to 
> reach the present compromise has been a healthy process and has fostered 
> tolerance between the dog-owners and the dogless. We too will be interested to 
> hear what works in other communities.
>
> David Bygott
> Milagro Cohousing
>
> ________________________________
>
> Date: Wed, 22 Jun 2011 13:03:44 -0600
> From: Mary McKeever<mckeever7868 [at] gmail.com>
>
> ...I'm interested in hearing how different communities deal with dogs in their
> communities -what are the policies/agreements regarding dogs and how are
> issues addressed and/or 'enforced'.  For example:
>
>     - can dogs be off-leash in any parts of the community and if so, under
>     what circumstances
>     - can dogs be in the common house and if so, under what circumstances
>     - how does the community deal with dog poop in common areas
>     - how are issues handled when practices are not adhered to by residents
>     and/or visitors....
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