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[adusa37]

I have been receiving letters that I am in violation of my apartment lease because there have been several complaints filed against my pet. My complex has a policy stating that every pet must be walked on a leash, cleaned up after, and brought to designated "business" areas. I have no problem with the first two... its the business (both pee and poo) area I have an issue with.

Within the five miles of sidewalk there are only four designated areas. The closest to my complex door are either 370 or 630 feet away. Everyone in my apartment works at least an 8 hour day. We don't work the same shifts so our dog rarely goes more than four hours without being able to relieve himself. Even still they are now requiring us to walk him a football field before being allowed to relieve himself. When we first moved in (1 year this past April) we were told by the property manager that we could walk the dog behind the complex as long as we cleaned up after him, therefore we walk him behind the complex in the marsh where he does his buisness which is always cleaned up and more often than not we find "presents" left by other tennants pets, which we clean up as well.

Now all of a sudden this has become an issue (within the past month) and though there are several pet owners who walk their pets in this area to my knowledge I am the only one recieving complaints. I feel like I am being targeted and everyone is simply saying "it's not my dog's doo it must be theirs".

My question is... is there any law (NY/Suffolk County) or policy that protects pet owners? One that requires property managers to place a designated "business" area within a certain distance within each complex entrance? If so what's the distance? If not any suggestions? Do I start taking pictures of other pet owners who relieve and don't clean up after their pets in this area to protect myself?

Any ideas and information is greatly appreicated!

P.S. when I do take him to the business area I take him to the one thats 630 feet away because there is a man who lives near the 370ft away area which has a severely agressive dog which he can not control that I do not feel safe in... leashed or not.