Worried about retaliation

[humor me]

I am terribly upset and don't know what to do. I feel like I have been abandoned by the management of the apartment where I live and I can't really afford to move, but I no longer feel safe here.

I was walking my service puppy this evening on the way home from the store and letting her relieve herself before we went back in the apartment. One of the other residents who is notorious for not cleaning up after his dog let one of his dogs loose (the other was leashed) out of his apartment and it came aggressively towards my dog.

I yelled at him to "Call your dog! Call your dog!" and he proceeded to swear at me and call me nasty names for several minutes after I reminded him that there were LEASH LAWS to protect my dog. If his dog had attacked mine, I would have had no hesitation for tackling it and protecting my dog. I'm covered medically. My dog is not.

I have complained to management before about dogs running loose and owners not picking up after their pets. He promised to send out fliers to all of the apartments, but it never happened.

I know where he lives and he knows where I live, and now I am in fear of something happening to me or my dog. We are only a few doors apart.

What can I do? Nothing is EVER done to stop people from letting everything from Chihuahuas to Pit Bulls (and I am in NO WAY am prejudiced toward bully breeds) run loose. MOST of the time they walk with their owners, but I don't think that should count. You just NEVER KNOW when something might trigger a reaction. I take my training seriously, but if another dog is running up to mine without proper introduction, I won't be responsible for the consequences because I already KNOW that my dog is still working on these skills. I'm just terribly frustrated about the whole thing.

[mcsap]

So is there a state law or local ordinance regarding leash laws ?

How about any kind of restriction in your lease agreement ?

If yes to number two , you need to politely make an " official " record that you are notifying the management and indicate that you are specifically referring to " page 27 , paragraph 2 under tenants repsonsibilities ". Hand deliver it , make note of the date and time of delivery and who accepted the letter. Do this in their presence showing your record keeping.

If the problem then persists , remind them of their own rules and the behaviour iof tenant John Smith who on Feb 18th 2011 let his dog run off without a leash etc. Remind them that by ignoring the enforcement of their own rules is tantamount to allowing said rules to be broken which can them WIDEN the scope of legal responsibility should an attack occur.

Document , document , document.

[humor me]

I checked my lease agreement. Nothing specific about dogs on leashes, but "If, in Management's opinion, my pet disturbs residents (e.g., barking), or if a pet rule is violated, Management may revoke this permit and I will immediately and permanently remove the pet from property."

I also called Maricopa County Animal Care & Control and explained the loose dog situation explaining that Endless was also a service puppy in training. They will either send a letter or an officer. Considering how short this guy's fuse was last night, I can almost bet he's going to be a total @$$ if an officer shows up. I would like to be a fly on the wall for guys like that.