Pets Policy

[Maria Elizabeth Prior]

I see that posters are being put up by the City of London, showing a Great Dane, and asking residents below if they want cats and/or dogs on the Estate?  This is along with their survey, again showing the massive hound!  One look at him, and I guess many people will be 'freaked out', but I suppose that's what the COL are hoping.  After all, when has anyone ever seen a Great Dane living in a flat?  Could they not have used a picture of a small dog instead, which is more realistic to our surroundings, not that they needed a picture of any dog, as we all know what one looks like. 

Maybe, for maximum 'effect' at putting people off dogs, the COL should have used an Irish Setter, or going one even better than that, the 'Hound of the Baskervilles'!! 

[Maria Elizabeth Prior]

Hi Christine.  Having read my post again, I realised I meant Irish Wolf Hound, instead of setter, but as I was laughing so much at the time I must have made the error.  Well, that's my excuse and I'm sticking to it. 

I know there is a comments box, but people can't put down certain comments if they don't know the facts of Law.  For example, no mention was made of those who needed pets for medical reasons as covered by the earlier Disability Discrimination Act, and now by the Equality Act 2010. 

To my recollection, the last pets policy survey was carried out nearly 20 years ago, and only a minority of residents actually returned the forms, with most stating they didn't want dogs, with some even saying 'no' to guide dogs!  That's illegal.  So, its misleading for the COL to say that the residents set the no pets policy, because the fact was the majority did not participate.

[Nick Lee]

Have returned my survey form saying that I'm quite happy for things to stay as they are. Difficult enough to keep the Estate clean without dog and cat poo everywhere. And dogs do bark, especially little ones, so there's noise pollution to consider too. Budgies, guinea pigs, hamsters fine, but no dogs or cats please.

 

 

[Maria Elizabeth Prior]

The last time we had such a survey I clearly recall not filling it in, as basically 'couldn't be bothered', as I didn't own either a cat or dog, so wasn't affected. Soon afterwards I went through a frightening life changing experience, and without going into detail, I found that a little dog was to be my 'salvation'.  How ironical is that!  It made me realise that we should not just think about what we want at the time, but consider other people's situations, so I learnt my lesson, especially considering that the COL used the then survey against me in proceedings. 

Dogs and cats have abilities to help people with disabilities, be they physical or psychological.  It is unfair to say that cats and dogs leave 'poo everywhere', as cats normally use their litter trays, and the problems of dog fouling on the Estate has been caused by non residents not acting in a responsible way. 

As for barking, well, considering we live in a busy City, we are surrounded by all sorts of 'noise pollution', coming mostly from humans! 

[Shane]

I find that humans leave more mess that animals. I would love a cat but my accommodation is way too small. I think there are a lot of elderly people that would love the company and affection of a dog or cat especially a cat as they can be kept indoors.

[Nick Lee]

Dogs yapping with extra poo everywhere (the quantity depending on whether the said cats decided to use their litter trays or not) would certainly be a 'life changing experience' for us all. And where's the consideration for other people's feelings that you mention? Hamsters and budgies fine and so are goldfish but for anything else, visit a zoo. End of. 

[Maria Elizabeth Prior]

That's certainly not what I meant by a 'life changing' experience.  I was talking about severe health issues, that I would want no one to have to go through.  We should all consider each other, that is right, but who is anyone to deny someone a pet, who needs it for their wellbeing?  Its called a human right!  Obviously, and I agree, it does not mean that anyone should have a pet 'willy nilly', and that certain assurances are needed. 

As for visiting a zoo, where one is hardly likely to see dogs and cats, (apart from the 'big cats' lions), anyway, I don't necessarily like zoos, as don't like to see wild animals in cages! 

[Lee]

I agree that it would be good for people to be able to keep dogs &/or cats a companions.

I think it would be good for people to have the option to keep dogs &/or cats. As long as they are looked after it is unlikely the dog will spend the all the time yapping.  And cats are very independent.

There is certainly a problem with mice in many of the blocks here, and having more cats on the estate would help to cut that problem.

I have voted yes to keeping both pets and I encourage others to do the same.  

[Nick Lee]

How would one ensure that the dog / cat is being looked after? Would there be a restriction on the size of, say a dog and who would decide? In fact, if rules were changed would it be ok if I kept a Vietnamese Pot Bellied Pig or a Crocodile. If not, why not. Again, who would decide?

I think many of us have 'Health Issues' but it doesn't mean we have to use them to bend the rules.

 

 

 

 

[Maria Elizabeth Prior]

Nick, are you saying that blind people, for example 'use their disability' and 'bend the rules' by needing a guide dog?

Nick Lee said:

How would one ensure that the dog / cat is being looked after? Would there be a restriction on the size of, say a dog and who would decide? In fact, if rules were changed would it be ok if I kept a Vietnamese Pot Bellied Pig or a Crocodile. If not, why not. Again, who would decide?

I think many of us have 'Health Issues' but it doesn't mean we have to use them to bend the rules.

 

 

 

 

[Steve Daszko]

Freddy....................what a cutie hahahaha!!!!!

Christine Clifford said:

Simple. You have to apply to the City to have a companion. Perhaps limit cats to rescue homes so they are vaccinated and neutered. Similar rules apply to dogs ruling out large and certain breeds.

I don't think our flats can accommodate Freddie ;-)

http://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/gallery/2014/feb/10/freddy-...

[Steve Daszko]

If he relaxed on my sofa, I would not be able to sit on it at the same time!

Christine Clifford said:

He is great isn't he in more ways than one. Love the way he is relaxing on the sofa.

Steve Daszko said:

Freddy....................what a cutie hahahaha!!!!!

Christine Clifford said:

Simple. You have to apply to the City to have a companion. Perhaps limit cats to rescue homes so they are vaccinated and neutered. Similar rules apply to dogs ruling out large and certain breeds.

I don't think our flats can accommodate Freddie ;-)

http://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/gallery/2014/feb/10/freddy-...

[Maria Elizabeth Prior]

Apparently he's already eaten his way through 12 sofas, so you would be lucky to have one left Steve!
 
Steve Daszko said:

If he relaxed on my sofa, I would not be able to sit on it at the same time!

Christine Clifford said:

He is great isn't he in more ways than one. Love the way he is relaxing on the sofa.

Steve Daszko said:

Freddy....................what a cutie hahahaha!!!!!

Christine Clifford said:

Simple. You have to apply to the City to have a companion. Perhaps limit cats to rescue homes so they are vaccinated and neutered. Similar rules apply to dogs ruling out large and certain breeds.

I don't think our flats can accommodate Freddie ;-)

http://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/gallery/2014/feb/10/freddy-...