We received the following communique from a reader resident of the Seward Park Co-op who is upset about updates to the pet policy. The housing complex first starting allowing dogs and other animals about ten years ago. Bah Humbug.

On Tuesday, the Seward Park Cooperative updated their new pet policy. They shoved a piece of coal into our doors with this news. All the pet owners I’ve spoken to are upset and think it’s unfair. Worse, they are instituting a fine of $225 for a three-page list of possible offenses. These are rules that, even if I tried to adhere, I could easily get a fine.

Dogs need to be immediately taken “off the Cooperative’s property when exiting the building and immediately taken into the apartment when entering the building.” A dog cannot be in any interior common area except to the extent of entering and exiting.

They cannot linger in any common area including Hester Street Lot, green spaces, playgrounds, laundry rooms and the lobby even if they are under complete control by the owner and leashed. This morning a couple of kids that know my dog stopped us in the lobby to say hello and pet him. What was running through my mind at the moment was, “technically I could get fined $225 for this.”

Pet waste must be removed and disposed of prior to entering any of the building’s areas including the outside walkways and the outside Hester Street lots. So does that mean there is a $225 fine for using the garbage cans on the outdoor areas of the property. The reach of this wording is very unfair. Some people have said, practically speaking, good dogs will have no problem. That this would only affect the few thoughtless dog owners. That just means it is most unfair to people who want to follow the rules.

The absolute worst part is that they have added a part where if one’s dog is considered a nuisance, they can have the dog removed with 30 days written notice. Management lists six examples of nuisance behavior – if your pet is not under your complete control on a 5 ft leash; “Pets who are conspicuously unclean…”; “Pets who relieves themselves in floors of common areas”; and “Pets who make noise continuously…”

My dog is my family and this is a threat to my family, sent less than a week before Christmas. They say this applies to service dogs and comfort dogs as well. Is that even legal?