At the open forum a great deal of time was spent on the increasing number of dogs at V.V. The board has been discussing a new comprehensive policy, but the question is will it be legally enforceable. A Mitchell Lama Co-Op called "Big Six Towers" in Queens approved very restrictive regulations concerning dogs and is now in court attempting to evict shareholders*. They have $100. registration fees, $15. monthly fees, weight limits, and dogs are not allowed on terraces or hallways unless they are being led out of the building. The lawyer for the dog owners claims the fees are unlawful, and this policy interferes with peoples rights under the law. An administrative law judge from H.P.D. will be making a decision in the coming months. If he rules in favor of Co-Op we can explore new regulations. If he rules in favor of the dog owners we should not attempt to implement a similar policy. The fact that Sec.27-2009.1 of the R.G.B. protects owners of dogs who have not had legal action taken against them for 90 days to be immune to eviction**. In reality this is a ridiculous law because it depends on the testimony of neighbors to establish the date of ownership. A task that most shareholders are not willing to testify to in court, and very expensive for V.V.
UPDATE: I spoke to Henry Dubro of Big Six Towers who told me the case has been withdrawn, but H.P.D. has approved their dog policy and they will go forward implementing it. I asked him to e-mail me their rules.
*http://www.nydailynews.com/ny_local/queens/2010/05/05/2010-05-05_big_six_towers_coop_tenants_face_eviction_over_pets_in_woodside.html
**http://www.housingnyc.com/html/resources/hmc/sub2/art1.html
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