Pets at SeaWatch – Argument Against

My name is Dianne Braden, unit #508, and I participated on the committee to draft a proposed bylaw to regulate the possession of pets at the SeaWatch. Let me preface my remarks by saying that if all owners could be as conscientious and sensitive to their neighbors as Norma and Mark Filler, the only owners currently allowed to keep any pets at SeaWatch, I would have no problem with pets at all. I live all summer right next door to the Fillers, and I never hear nor see their dogs. They never use the elevators, always the back stairs, and walk the dogs only in the early morning and evening. Norma and I worked hard to make the proposed bylaw as restrictive and protective of the rights of non-pet-owning owners as possible.

That being said, I am still against a general bylaw allowing owners to keep pets at SeaWatch for a number of reasons:

1. Liability. How can we guarantee that only the owner, and not the association, would be responsible for any lawsuits?

2. Allergies. Many people are allergic to animals. This can be a problem for owners, renters, and visitors.

3. Enforcement. It is much more difficult to distinguish between an owner's allowed pet and pets brought in by renters or guests when there are lots of animals.

4. Landscaping. We are spending lots of money trying to improve the appearance of the SeaWatch building and grounds. Animals like to dig holes, scratch, and chew.

5. Precedent. More than 90% of condo complexes do not allow pets. Why should we be in the minority... especially since most of our owners are not year-round residents.

6. Animal Waste. Need I say more? We are all walking around barefoot in the summer (except in the lobby!). How can we tell what animal/owner was responsible if a mess is not cleaned up?

7. Administration. Who will be required to approve a specific pet? How will that pet be identified? Will the condo association need to put the animals on a scale to make sure they are under 20 lbs.? How do we get rid of an animal if it gets too big?

I think the proposed pet bylaw before you today is the best we could devise, and makes every effort to protect the condo association and address problems with owners who fail to live up to their responsibilities. Nevertheless, I still feel allowing pets at SeaWatch is opening up a can of worms (not a pet allowed under this bylaw).