March 2024

Three Things You Can Do to Be a

RESPONSIBLE DOG OWNER By Damon Kress, Esq., McGovern Legal Services, LLC

D ogs are a popular pet that can easily become a member of your family. They might even garner smiles and help you strike up a conversation with neighbors as you take your daily walk. And yet, there are some behaviors that can turn your furry friend into an unintended nuisance in the neighborhood. Here are three things you can do to demonstrate responsible dog owner ship in a community association and reduce the likelihood of a complaint. 1. Be mindful of safety and the fear of dogs. Don’t assume everyone loves dogs as much as you do. Some people have a debilitating fear of dogs that needs to be respected. Others like dogs, but don’t have much experience with them. They might ask to pet your dog, but not know how to read their signs of stress. This could lead to an uncomfortable or unfortunate situation. Small children especially need to be supervised around dogs. And if your dog is a rescue, make sure you know its triggers and how it gets along with children and other dogs before allowing contact. Socializing your dog is an important aspect of being a dog owner as long as it’s done responsibly. 2. Dispose of waste in a respectful manner. Dog waste bags are a necessity, but how you discard waste is equally important. When you’re taking your dog

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for a walk, try not to simply leave full dog waste bags on someone’s lawn, sidewalk, or curb, thinking you’ll pick it up on your way back. This often results in forgotten bags that litter someone else’s property. It’s also courteous to only drop the waste bag in someone’s trash can (provided it’s on the street) if the trash is full and about to be picked up. You don’t want to leave dog waste in someone’s trash can when it’s empty and will sit in their garage until the next pick up day. 3. Don’t be a noisy neighbor. The reality is that some dogs (and dog breeds) bark or howl more than others. Keep this in mind when getting a dog or when letting your dog outside. Are they waking your neighbors up? Are they left outside to bark for long periods of time? Are their needs for stimulation and exercise being ignored and leading to excessive barking? Do they

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MARCH 2024