Pet Friendly – Page 6

In the sad and gruesome tragedy of last week’s canine emergency in which a pit bull attacked a small dog in the elevator of Lincoln Heights condominium building Alta lofts, an adorably lovely little pooch suffered a broken jaw and loss of an eye. #altalofts #pitbull

No puppy deserves to experience the living nightmare of a pit bull attack.

While the pup is expected to survive, the horrifying puppy screams shall not quickly be forgotten by the writers of the L.A. Loft Blog. Some residents of the spacious loft building have attempted to sweep the matter under the rug, while a few have called for banning pit bulls and similar breeds, labeling them fighting beasts that are not fit to be pets (they’ve said similar unkind things about the owners of pit bulls). Others have reacted by attacking the victim and the messenger. The purpose of this post is to discuss the dangers, and thus help end up with appropriate solutions so that little loved ones are protected, gentle giants are given proper attention, and dangerous animals are handled with appropriate precautions. #hoa board

The easily preventable recent mauling happened after the L.A. Loft Blog warned of the looming danger a year ago (read Pit Bull Lofts article from March 6, 2018). The pit bull owner, homeowners and their HOA board responded incorrectly then, ignoring or attacking the messenger instead of taking preventative action.

Most condominium associations do not allow pit bulls, and many prohibit all large dogs over 50 lbs. Virtually all condominium homeowners associations prohibit large dogs with aggressive behavior problems and a history of dangerous activities by the dog or its owner. Some members of the Alta lofts HOA homeowners association board have downplayed the urgency.

Regarding the proven danger and extreme legal liability of injurious pit bulls at the normally nice Alta lofts: It’s very interesting that Alta HOA CC&Rs specifically require indemnification. Usually, there is usually no indemnification without a signature specifically agreeing to the indemnification. And even with a specific signature authorization, indemnifications are often tossed out in California court. One board members dismissed the idea of a prompt solution by calling it “complex.” But for every other condo building in the area, it’s not so complex. For Alta lofts, “Dangerous” is a much better representation of the truth. Based on L.A. Loft Blog research, there is every reason to believe that Alta HOA insurance simply DOES NOT COVER PIT BULL INJURIES. Indemnification will not protect Alta homeowners from the guilt of injuries/deaths. Indemnification most certainly will not protect small pets and children. Indemnification will not protect Alta homeowners from all large damages involving pit bull owners with shallow pockets. The fact is that the homeowners and HOA board have been dragging their feet for more than a year on this safety issue. After a serious attack, immediate action is absolutely appropriate. The board members are not acting in homeowners best interests when they fail to disclose liabilities, and then attempt to obfuscate and keep the homeowners unaware of the extreme risks of this very unusual and precarious situation of living with actively injurious offending pit bulls in a California condominium building.

Pit Bull Attack

https://www.local10.com/news/local/fort-lauderdale/fort-lauderdale-woman-hires-attorney-after-dog-killed-by-pit-bulls

THIN ICE

Unfortunately for owners of the stylish industrial conversion live/work residences at Alta, the mauling of a puppy by a pit bull is only the latest bloody icing on the deadly cake. The three most tenured HOA board members were recently subjects of a very rare recall vote after they were accused by many residents of breaching fiduciary responsibilities. The subject board members were then accused of throwing the election by ordering their chosen ballot company to stop accepting votes before a quorum of votes could be received. This unheard of drama came on the heels of a homeowner petition that successfully reigned in the three board members after they concocted a pro-harassment rule for the purpose of increasing legal threats against Alta homeowners in a community already beset with excess litigation. The three clinging board members have squandered hundreds of thousands of dollars of homeowners money to prop up their own paltry power rather than having proper safety rails built onto the hazardous rooftop where two young ladies nearly fell to their deaths.

Upon any crisis, there are almost always new opportunities to learn, heal, grow and prosper for those who are eager to do so. While dog owners have primary responsibility, homeowners and their HOA boards often face ultimate liability for damages that relate to their rules and lack of enforcement. When board members chant that all woes are the fault of others, even a pit bull attack is somehow an opportunity for the three to attack the victims and the messenger. Until Alta lofts community experiences a big change, no healing can be felt.

The three board members still attack, defame and litigate against their critics while ignoring and obfuscating the most dangerous conditions of any condominium in L.A…. a never-ending construction site around homeowners doors, windows and walkways; a blind eye to a rooftop with the extreme deadliness of double unprotected 6-story drop-offs, and a set of active, injurious puppy-munching jaws roaming Alta lofts today.

Let’s hope that this article encourages the simple changes that can turn around the “complex” situation for Alta lofts residents. Residents who own small dogs are counting on the community to exorcise the demon of “Might Makes Right.” Leading area loft real estate specialist Corey Chambers shares his opinion on the subject, “We expect all dog owners, homeowners and HOA board members to respect and protect ALL residents, no matter how ‘small’ they may seem.” Chambers is a long-time resident and small dog owner at Alta lofts.

Get a free list of pet-friendly lofts. Fill out the online form:

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Cute sleeping puppy dreams of a safe, happy future.

About the authors: Corey Chambers and Zzyzx the Wuppy are long-time residents of Alta Lofts.

Copyright © This free information provided courtesy L.A. Loft Blog and LAcondoInfo.com with information provided by Corey Chambers, Realty Source Inc, BRE#01889449 We are not associated with the homeowner’s association or developer. For more information, contact (213) 880-9910 or visit LAcondoInfo.com Licensed in California. All information provided is deemed reliable but is not guaranteed and should be independently verified. Properties subject to prior sale or rental. This is not a solicitation if buyer or seller is already under contract with another broker.

German Shepherds, Rottweilers and Pit Bulls… Oh My! — They are almost always gentle, loving creatures. Almost always.

For those who want to avoid the story of a pit bull attack, skip to the Pet Friendly Lofts section. Some will really hate this blog post because it sounds like an angry rant. Maybe it is — because my life has been strongly impacted by a serious injury from another mishandled pit bull down the street. Even so, this is not about bad dogs. It is about enjoying loft living by preventing injury and death caused by dangerous dogs with dangerous owners. #petfriendly

While anyone with children and small pets will likely understand what I’m saying, some readers will get defensive and aggressive like an angry wolf. I saw how Alta residents reacted when I recently discussed this topic on the Alta Lofts Community Yahoo Group. First, the lady who dropped her pit bull’s leash, letting the dog loose at Alta (because she had other more important matters to attend to) apologized to me in person (after she was caught on video breaking the HOA rules). Later, she would sadly show her true colors. #lofts #dtla

Safety with dogs is about the dog handler — Corey in Los Angeles, 1973

After I mentioned online that Alta homeowners should think twice about tacitly approving of guard dogs, large aggressive dogs and fighting breeds, the mishandling pit bull owner saw the post urging safety HOA rules enforcement. She began attacking me personally, blaming me, even absurdly accusing me of attacking a pit bull. The truth is that my puppy and I were attacked by a pit bull that ran up to us as we were simply walking 15 feet away, bit me and mauled my chihuahua.

After the pit bull horrifyingly ran up and began biting us, the “gentle” beast attempted a classic pit bull lock grip on my small dog. The enormous mouth of the leaping pit bull bit down on my puppy causing him to scream in agony. I knew I had to use all of my might to push back in order to save my pup. It worked, I was able to snatch victory from the jaws of defeat. Without my extreme force to destabilize the pit bull at that point, the horror scene would have ended with my puppy’s slow, painful death in the jaws of the pit bull. It’s painful to imagine. Loving lap dogs are killed like this all the time.

Because I persisted for several days discussing Alta’s unusual acceptance of aggressive dogs on Alta Lofts Community Yahoo Groups, the mishandler’s friend joined in to attack me personally, even trying to attack my real estate career. Then another Alta Yahoo Groups reader, a former client, complained that I was ranting, and demanded that I stop discussing it on the Alta lofts community forum. Thank God I have my own blog where I can rant as much as I want because these are life-or-death topics. Thanks for reading and caring. Please tell us what you think and leave a comment.

While I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE large dogs, and have usually owned large dogs, my thoughts are with the owners of small pets. They have the most to lose from mishandled big dogs. The irresponsible pet-owners are the primary danger.

Wikipedia agrees with me as the dog fatality page linked below has a huge amount of research. It clearly shows that large, fighting breeds and guard dog breeds require special handling and the right environment that they don’t always get.

The ultimate problem is the dog handlers. When pit bull owners carelessly put down the leash, their “gentle” giants sometimes attack, injure and kill neighbors, small women, children and especially small pets like my puppy-baby Zzyzx the Wuppy. The dog handler (and often property owner such as the HOA) is liable for allowing their property to lead to any injury or damages.

I may or may not tolerate pit bulls, but Mutant Spider Dogs are defiantly out of the question! — I may or may not tolerate pit bulls, but Mutant Spider Dogs are defiantly OUT OF THE QUESTION at Alta Lofts!!

Now, back to getting serious. Forget about offering sympathy or not for my worsening injury. That is not the point of this “rant.” The point is about safety, and preventing attacks that result from ill-equipped dog handlers and human error. Putting down the pit bull leash is a warning sign that the pit bull is not being handled correctly, and possibly has not been trained correctly. That mishandled pit bull is more likely to be one of the few that will attack and cause serious injury or death of a small loved one.

Pit Bulls and Mastiffs lead the way with the largest number of deaths. Even though pit bulls cause a disproportionate number of deaths, they should not be singled out unfairly. HOAs should be concerned with ALL dogs capable of killing a neighbor or pet. This includes large guard dogs, large-aggressive, dogs and large fighting breeds. The focus also needs to be on the dog owners and handlers. Homeowners associations such as Alta Lofts that allow the fighting breeds should think twice, and should check with their HOA insurance carrier to see what the insurance company says about dogs on the property.

Find 823 references to fatal dog attacks at: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fatal_dog_attacks_in_the_United_States

Dogs and lofts can live happily ever after.

PET-FRIENDLY LOFTS

Alta Lofts is not the only building with plenty of dogs. Get a free list of pet-friendly buildings in Downtown Los Angeles. Fill out the online form:

<a href="https://laloft.wufoo.com/forms/z1ua3s3h0q9r3gm/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Fill out my Wufoo form!</a>

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Corey with large aggressive dog. Los Angeles, 1974

About the Author: In addition to being the publisher of the L.A. Loft Blog, Corey Chambers is a life-long animal lover. While always placing people first, Corey has helped to train and handle award-winning show dogs, including large, aggressive dogs for more than 45 years. Tell Corey what you think.

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