Homeowners association trying to make me get rid of my dog
Several weeks ago our dog bit a guy after he entered our fenced in patio without our permission or knowledge. We have always had signs on our gate saying DOG MAY BITE, NO TRESPASSING with our cell # to obtain permission to enter. Not to mention this particular party had been verbally warned by me and my husband on severally occasions to call before entering so we could confine the dog. He chose to ignore these warnings and got bit as a result. My husband heard what was happening and quickly restrained the dog. His injuries were very minor. Animal control investigated the incident and found that the bite was provoked by his own negligence (trespassing on private property). So we were cleared of any wrong doing. We thought that was the end of it. Then we started to receive threat letters from his attorney demanding a settlement. We responded with a letter of our own including the facts listed above and a copy of the report in our favor from animal control. We haven't heard from him since so a lawsuit is no longer our concern. But we just received a notice from our homeowners association demanding we "relocate" our "vicious" dog w/in 30 days. On the contrary, our dog is very loveable and great with other animals and people in the neighborhood with no previous history of attack. The board of directors should know since they love to feed and pet our dog whenever were out for a walk. We are in compliance with all listed pet regulations, leash laws,etc. This "decision" was made in a meeting by the board which we had no notice of nor opportunity to attend. Of course we have no intention of complying with this ridiculous "order" so what should we do?