Cats on a Leash
Is your HOA allowed to misconstrue the Arizona dog leash laws and state that you need to put your cat on the lease even though in Arizona it’s a ranch state and cats are free roaming.
Furthermore, I just finished a three year stent serving on the HOA board in my community. This only became a problem when the new HOA member rejoined the board – long story he had resigned from the board previously because I exposed his unethical behavior.
Not sure how the man got reelected again but now here I am just finishing my service on the board and now being harassed by the new board member. What are my rights???
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Jessicalee;
Any association that creates a rule requiring cats be on a leash is just plain stupid. There is absolutely nothing that could justify this a reasonable. Associations are allowed to create reasonable rules to protect homeowners from nuisance behaviors of their neighbors that interfere with their ability to enjoy their property. Unless their pet cat is a bobcat or mountain lion I cannot justify how any such rule is either reasonable or justifiable. Any cat owner fines by any association relative to leash requirements on cats should both contest the violations to the board and thru the courts or ADRE dispute resolution process. I’m quite sure that the CC&R’s do not require cats to be on leashes. The CC&R’s are the only restriction on the free use of your property and its inhabitants.
As for individual board member harassment. Everyone is protected from harassment and threatening actions under existing state laws. You are free to file a simply complaint of harassment and get a court ordered injunction against that individual thru your municipal Court system. Very easy and very straight forward. Each court has forms to fill in to file a complaint. No lawyer required.
Dennis
It’s becoming a real problem when people join the HOA Board and start believing they can operate on their own terms — essentially self‑enforcing whatever they personally want. That’s not how an HOA is supposed to function. Board members are required to follow the CC&Rs, yet many don’t. I’m fairly certain the “cat on a leash” requirement isn’t in our CC&Rs at all.
I served briefly on the Board myself, and the experience was eye‑opening. I was met with an oppressive, dismissive, and at times outright berating attitude — told to “mind my own business” and talked over whenever I raised valid concerns. Issues like Airbnb activity, renter restrictions, and community safety are legitimate topics, yet they were brushed aside.
Unfortunately, some people get elected and start believing they’re serving the community when, in reality, they’re serving their own preferences. It’s frustrating, and it’s exactly why I sometimes think HOAs should be more tightly regulated. Situations like this show how easily things can go off the rails when there’s no accountability.
You’ve identified the fundamental flaw in the entire concept of these communities. Human nature and individual ethics coupled with unlimited and unchecked power. This is exactly what My coalition is about fighting for a balance of power within these communities to self regulate and eliminate the bad actors. our entire government as a nation was built with distribution of power to provide checks and balances on the individual powers of any branch. These communities were created by CAI to place all power in one one body and allow that one body to make the rules, enforce the rules and fine and take your home for violations of the rules without any real independent due process of law.
Dennis