Arizona State Senator Thinks HOA Off-Leash Fining is Mostly Very Silly

I fully support Senator Lori Klein’s comment that the off-leash fines issued to homeowners (which she quotes as 25% of all HOA fines) are, as she states, “Most of it is very silly.” I would actually go further and find that most all fines handed out by HOAs tend to be “very silly.”

The problem is I think Senator Klein is picking the wrong fight – highlighting off-leash rules is one that can be easily refuted using real life experience. Even in my own life a close friend’s dog (who was on leash) was viciously attacked by an off-leash dog which charged off  its owner’s front yard. The only reason her dog is alive is because of a local neighbour bludgeoned the attacking dog with a bike lock until it released its grip on her dog. The attacking dog was later removed from the owner and put down. Her dog was put through excessive vet bills. Something she was never compensated for.

I’m also familiar with an acquaintance who laughed at the fact his dog jumped his backyard fence and killed two dogs walking by. This was especially cruel as the dogs’ teen owner was right there with them, and failed to save them.

Senator Klein highlights an elderly resident that keeps getting fined for her tiny Chihuahua. Agreed, this example seems very silly, and I would hope that the HOA realizes fines are not a tool to enforce compliance, but a last resort after trying other methods.

Leashing dogs in public, based my own experience, is a necessary evil. Good dogs are sadly affected by leash laws, but they are required to help control those that are uncontrollable.

Arizona state lawmakers are currently considering a bill put forward by Senator Klein to allow insured dogs off-leash. I would have to say I object to such allowance.