Help me keep my dragon

[luvthatdragonx2]

I recently had to move. I did not mention my dragon, Matilda, as my other landlord had no problems with her or Aussie (passed away this Easter Sunday at age 10). My new landlord found out about Matilda and has ordered me to get rid of her. She is currently being boarded while I fight this. I have letters from 3 physicians, yet management says they can overrule them. Unfortunately, I live in South Dakota, which does not have a lot of renter protection laws. Moving would be very difficult for me at this time because I am facing surgery for an injury and cannot work, but I will move and postpone the surgery if that is what it takes. The only thing they seem to have against Matilda is that she is a reptile. I simply cannot give her up. She is a member of my family. Please send some good beardie thoughts my way, and prayers too, that I can come up with a way to keep her. Thank you so much. Any advice would also be appreciated.

 

[vickson420]

Oh my I am so sorry.Let me ask you this,are there any pets in the building were you live?Did they specify a no pet rule on your lease?

 

[luvthatdragonx2]

They said no animals that did not meet city code, but the city code doesn't prohibit owning lizards. I also have 2 cats, which they approved. I just didn't mention Matilda because she is like a goldfish or bird. I was really under pressure to find a place I could afford and didn't really pursue it. One of the other tenents saw her (walked into my apt without knocking as I was cleaning her house) and reported her to the management.

 

[vickson420]

They said no animals that did not meet city code, but the city code doesn't prohibit owning lizards. I also have 2 cats, which they approved. I just didn't mention Matilda because she is like a goldfish or bird. I was really under pressure to find a place I could afford and didn't really pursue it. One of the other tenents saw her (walked into my apt without knocking as I was cleaning her house) and reported her to the management.

Ok well if she meets the city code and they only specified that then you have EVERY right to have her there and I would fight it tooth and nail.Your lease is binding and they must follow the rules as stated.If they allow cats then they cant ban the beardie and I dotn think any court in the world would rule against it even if its in a landlord friendly city.My opinion bring her home and duke it out in court if need be but I would start first by having an attorney draft a very nice but firm letter for you and have it delivered to the landlord.As you said you would be willing to move anyway so why not make them work for it?I am no lawyer but I have been both a landlord and a tenant and have had to deal with my fare share of this.I do recommend legal counsel though and if money is an option they do sometimes have attorneys who will do this for little to no money.Contatc your local social services and they might be able to point you in the right direction.Remember the fair housing act is federal and if your being discriminated against for your choice of pet then you have a pretty strong chance IMO.

 

[picklified]

That's absolutely ridiculous!! I'm looking at apartments right now and every time I visit one and they ask if I'll have animals I ask if its okay to have a beardie and all of them have told me that "that doesn't count as an animal." Although that comment offends me, I understand that they only mean it in a sense that it's not the type of animal who can cause damage like a dog or cat could.

I can't believe they won't let you have one there, they're harmless, small, quiet, and its not like they're running free!
I would definitely fight it if I were you, try to find proof that you weren't violating the city codes and stuff

 

[gulfbrzdawn]

I would definitely fight it if you are up to it! As you said their are no codes prohibiting lizards. You are in a legally binding lease and if it was not stated in that lease that you cannot have a reptile, then the landlord does not have a leg to stand on. As Vicky mentioned...legal counsel is your best bet! Depending on how ruthless your landlord is you shouldn't have much trouble fighting it. If he is ready for a fight, be forewarned...he will try to find a loophole(or his attorney will) in the contract to keep you or your beardie out!

Good Luck!

 

[blondie098]

Dawn, you're right -- sometimes the smallest loophole can be blown out of proportion by the other party. BUT, please remember -- (no one has mentioned it yet) -- you are in a binding lease, and if their pressure gets you to cave in and move, then you are breaking your lease, and they can come after you for the remainder of it! That would be worse!

I would stay put, keep your beloved baby, and call your local Legal Aid -- they may have attorneys that can help you draft / send that letter. Management needs to formally answer the question "what rule / ordinance is being broken"? How long have you had this dragon? Did you have your beloved 10 y.o. since babyhood? That can speak volumes in the letter about you being a responsible owner!!! (I.E. you have lived other places the last 10 years, and no one complained about dragon damaging property?)

We wish you luck, it almost sounds like your neighbor if freaked out by dragon, and is just making trouble... I had my dragon at the petstore awhile back, riding on my shoulder. Was approached by a lady that started spouting scripture & telling me how evil serpents are. She followed me down the aisle!!! I kindly said "Excuse me, ma'am, I mean no disrespect. But I believe he is one of God's children too"

Moral: she was just freaked out by the unknown... her problem!!! I wouldn't just give up my dragons either, they are my children too!

 

[DistDrag]

As long as the lease states that animals that meet the city code are allowed you have every right to keep your dragon. I would put it on the landlord to provide something from the city code that explicitly states bearded dragons/reptiles are not allowed. You obviously have a very ignorant landlord.

Good luck
Kevin

 

[Ruby2uesday]

Isn't it funny how they'd be ok w/ a dog or cat that can do SERIOUS damage to their property but not want a "small" reptile which is harmless to people that will not do any damage at all? I work for a privatized housing on a military base and we have to state no exotic animals or reptiles! but then i do some inspections and see the damage the dogs and cats do. omg GOOD LUCK!!!!!

 

[Rachella]

I've had a lot of experience with landlords. Have you mentioned obtaining an attorney to your landlord? Usually just mentioning it is enough to get their attention. No threatening, just say that you've been talking to your attorney and will see how that goes. That's usually more than enough to get a landlord or most people off your back, especially about something that's not too important. They won't see it worth the hassle or fees. It's especially wrong if they allow dogs, cats, birds and fish.

I'd definitely fight it though. They may be misjudging the beardie and with ignorance not knowing what peaceful, wonderful creatures they are. When someone mentions the word "reptile" the first thing to come to mind is alligators and/or snakes. With that stereotype a lot of people are misinformed.

Good luck and don't give up. Fight 'em to the end. I would NOT get rid of the beardie.

 

[luvthatdragonx2]

I am so grateful to you all for your advice and support. I live in South Dakota, which is kind of a 3rd world country in some ways. Legal aid will not help with landlord-tenant problems and the state won't get involved either. They say they don't interfere in the way people do business here and as far as they are concerned, the landlord is just doing business and therefore can do anything he or she wants. This landlord isn't even here; she is in another state. There is just a part-time manager who does just what she tells him to. My first beardie, Aussie, showed up on my patio one day. I went all over the neighborhood and no one claimed him. I called the humane society, and when no one claimed him after 5 days, I decided to adopt him myself. The vet thought he was about 6 months old at the time. I just fell in love with him. I bought Matilda from a breeder when she was about 8 weeks old. My vet, who is also the zoo vet, told me I must just have a way with dragons because mine were always so healthy and well socialized. I spent part of the day with Matilda, (one of the people at the pet shop where is offered my $200 for her; I turned it down, of course), then did some apartment hunting. I got on some waiting lists, but I will continue to battle to keep her here. I have letters from my doctors and my vet to send to the landlord. Hopefully, she will drop it, but she isn't a very nice person and likes to intimidate people. The other tenants are scared stiff of her. I can't leave board Matilda for too long, and frankly, I am figuring out a way to just bring her home and hide her. The landlord does have to give me notice before she can come in, which would give me time to get Matilda out until she is out of my apartment. This whole thing just makes me more determined to fight, and when I am recovered from the surgery, I want to move somewhere so I can take in abandoned and unwanted beardies, and maybe other small reptiles as well, and further educate people about them. Now I understand why Steve Irwin, may he rest in blessed peace, cried like a baby when one of his crocs died. Again, thank you all. I am not giving up.

 

[blondie098]

How long is your lease? If they try to make you leave (from not getting rid of your baby), I would get it in writing, signed by landlord AND manager that they are releasing you from your lease, and you will not be liable for further costs due to your lease. etc. etc.

I am hoping for the best for you -- they have no right. It sounds like the neighbor lady is the one who started this... any way to educate her on how sweet and docile and snuggle these beautiful creatures are?

 

[luvthatdragonx2]

I do have 6 months left on my lease, but an attorney friend thinks I can break it on medical grounds since the stress of living here isn't doing my injuries any good and has meant postponing my surgery. I do have some great news, though, that I would like to share. I have supported Steve Irwin's Wildlife Warriors for a long time. I am from Oregon, like Terri, and went to school in Eugene, her home town. I sent an E-mail to her mother, Cathy, who heads up Wildlife Warriors here in the US and received a beautiful letter of support. She is also going to have Australia Zoo send some info on beardies to send to my landlord. If you have a few pennies to spare, they could really use them. I thought so much of Steve even before I got my first beardie because he championed animals, mainly reptiles, that we are used to being villified and are taught to hate and fear. Another person who does this is the writer, Janell Cannon. She has written childrens' books about Stella Luna, the bat, Verdi, the snake, and Pinduli, the hyena. If you aren't familiar with them, by all means get them. My grandkids and all their friends love these books. Again, I am so grateful for all the support I have had from beardie people all over the world. You have all given me so much hope. Bless you all. BEARDIES ARE BEST!

 

[clbauman7]

I had my dragon at the petstore awhile back, riding on my shoulder. Was approached by a lady that started spouting scripture & telling me how evil serpents are. She followed me down the aisle!!! I kindly said "Excuse me, ma'am, I mean no disrespect. But I believe he is one of God's children too"

:laughhard: :laughhard: :laughhard: :laughhard: :laughhard:

I bet for you that was really annoying. But it is very funny. She sounds ignorant of the Bible as well. My husband and I are both credentialed ministers and we love our beardie. For that matter if I wanted a serpent I would get one as well lol

luvthatdragonx2 I wish you lots of luck! keep us updated.

 

[blondie098]

I had to make that split decision on what to say to her -- it wasn't worth explaining to her that he was not a serpent! ... so I "reminded her" that my precious baby was one of His creations, basically to stop her in her tracks... it amazes me how many people are just afraid of the unknown.