Our Co-op President has been looking into a few things and has these points to make:
I need to make an entry strictly dealing with the FACTS. I have spent many hours researching the following:
Dogs- I spoke to Barbara from the Emanual Insurance Agency. She is finding us the best deal on insurance for the COOP. She said “once it is in the park rules that dogs are welcome on the land the coop assumes some of the liability. If a guest in the park is bitten that person has the right to sue the home owner that owns the dog and the COOP that allowed the dog to be on the land. THIS IS FACT. If a dog bites anyone for ANY reason, before our insurance policy is renewed we must prove that the dog has been destroyed or we as a group will loose our policy. FACT there is only four insurance carries that are willing to insure the COOP.
Then I spoke to Bob Sheppard he is one of two attorneys that represent the coop (US) and I told him what was going on and I asked him “If we (the coop) need to take any legal action involving dogs and owners about how much would he charge.” He said “upwards of 1500.” THIS IS FACT. We are budgeted in the performa of 8000.00 legal. This is for regular stuff. We may need to increase the lot rent next year to cover more money for legal. I also asked Bob Sheppard if we could make it a rule that dog owners have home owners insurance. He said NO, in the state of New Hampshire it is not mandatory to have home owners insurance like it isn’t mandatory to have car insurance the live free or die state he said that people are foolish if they don’t. Only banks that own titles on the homes or cars can make in mandatory.
We as a group need to decide what we are willing to risk. What Pandora’s Box we will open. We can’t just open it and think it is easy to close it, because it won’t be.We need to deal in fact. 90% of people will be wonderful dog owners this is FACT . I worry (not fact) about the other 10%. We all can think of someone that pushes the rules to their limits. I would love to have a little dog, my kids are begging me to go to the SPCA. I still have a lot of thinking to do on how I will vote on Saturday.
I definitely have personal views on many issues involving the park. I am trying hard to deal with facts and not what is best for my family as an individual but looking at what is best for the group (the Coop) . I URGE everyone to step back and really think about the what ifs of life here and remember we are setting the tone for many years to come. Even when we are long gone this will be a coop. Lets all come together on Saturday with positive attitudes even if we don’t agree on all the issues. The majority will rule it is what a democracy is all about.
Anita Jordan
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15 comments:
i am voting yes on the dog issue, im sorry, but the way i look at it, its the owners responsibility that the dog is trained properly as to not bite, with the exception of playing. i have home owners insurance, so thats not an issue. my daughter is haunting me to go to the spca too, then again, i am pestering my husband to go as well. Still thinking about it tho, but i am voting yes on the rule for the sake of the older residents in the park who have to pick up their dogs, its hard for them
Are you Okay with the park taken some of the liability in possible law suits?
Please do not apologize for the way you feel or vote. You have the right to a voice like everyone else:)
Anita
i dont understand why it would be the parks problem if an owner has a dog and it happens to bite someone...wouldnt it just be the owners problem? thats the only thing i dont understand.
i dont understand why it would be the parks fault either. why would the park be held liable for it? if a animal bites someone visiting the owner then the owner would be held liable. they are not allowed outside without supervision or off a leash, if the owner is that stupid to leave the animal unattended, then they should be held responsible if anything happens, not the park
I am also voting yes on the dog issue. I've had dogs my whole life and never had a problem with them. Dogs are great companions for people. Not everyone has a child. My dog is my child. People just need to be responsible. All the dogs that I have seen have been on leashes.
Any sane person would try to train their dogs not to bite. There are many kids who's faces have been mauled by the family dog. Do you think the parents trained them to do it? No, it just happens. You can reduce it by choosing the right breeds, and breeders ect., but even breeds like retrievers can and will bite.
People now a days are sue happy. It is just the way it is. The coop will own the land so if we say the dog is allowed on the land we must consider the fact the person looking for a buck could come after us (the coop)too. If someone does not have homeowners insurance the victim will want help with medical bills and what every else they can get.I am not saying that we should not have dogs. I am saying we must look at it from every angle.
Anita Jordan
any dog can bite if provoked. so can cats. Im voting yes, i love dogs, little dogs. We were thinking about getting a small dog once this is in effect. small meaning under 10 pounds. letting them outside would be ok, i mean they will be on leashes and will have someone with them. By voting yes, it will give the older residents the freedom to bring them outside rather than sticking them in the car to take them somewhere else
We all know that the supposedly ' current ' rules have not been followed or upheld. When we first moved in here about 10 years ago, we were told by someone that was supposed to enforce these rules that it would be ok to let our cats out. He also lets his out. I find it to be sheer foolishness to now be told that we have to all of a sudden start keeping the cats in. Because of the circumstances, I think that either the cats should continue to be allowed out, or there should be a grandfather clause for the current cats.
If people can walk their dogs, they should be able to walk their dogs to the car and take them of Co-Op property. They have been breaking the rules and doing it for years. Everyone claims that they will follow the rules, many have been breaking the rules for years, and if you give an inch they will take a mile. We have residents from neighboring communities about Lindenshire residents walking their dogs and not cleaning up after them as it is. As far as I am concerned if people were didn't follow the rules before, then they will not follow the rules if they change. I will be voting no to dogs.
We need to talk about the parking issue! I know for a fact people have had a problem with my home and cars parked out in the road and I also know it is part of the rules. however, MY house is not the only one with people parking outside the driveway. I am so angry about this it isn't funny.So this rule needs to be harshly applied. Road parking has ended here but is still a uncomplained problem for everyone else.
What about cats that are already outside cats now? This is a huge issue here. There are SEVERAL roaming cats in this community and everyone is talking about making sure dogs aren't being destructive and they are picked up after but who picks up after the CATS? Outdoor cats go to the bathroom OUTDOORS! Believe me, I find it in my garden and yard every spring/summer. The thing that really gets me though are the cats sleeping on the hood and roof of my vehicles and then finding scratches and paw prints on my brand NEW vehicle! Or..The several cats who sleep on my deck furniture and stain my cushions to a dingy black. Who takes care of that? Why should my property be ruined by someone's animal and who is going to be held accountable?
Regarding the "fact" that the park can be sued if dogs are permitted on owner property, leaving the rule as is will not protect the park from a suit either. A litigant suing can say the park was at fault for not adequately enforcing the present rule. So the " fact" is it will make no difference. and therefore should not be a significant point in deciding. Lets move on .
The cost of our lot rent IS a significant point in deciding. I feel the park has done a decent job at enforcing the present rules. You can not be told what you can have in your house though, that's why there are so many dogs here already. If it is in the rules that dogs are not allowed on the land, then the park will be protected. I am not opposed to the rules being enforced harder though. That's a great idea!
I know there are several current dog owners who won't even clean up after the dogs in their own house like they should. You want me to vote to allow them outside in our community? That is just crazy! I think everyone needs to work on taking pride in our neighborhood this year, and maybe put off the dog issue until next year.
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