oh no. Poor Harry, poor you. If I lived in Canberra, I'd take him. Dogs that pogo are cool.

Why not use "alternative arrangements" to turn the neighbors into pets under the Useless Complainers Clause under the UN Charter. UN Troops will then show up, apply the manacles, muzzle and leash. You can then turn the tables on these pesky neighbors who, I think, are probably jealous over the fact that you have what seems to be one of the most manageable and harmless dogs in town.

No, shauny!! Move house. Stuff 'em. Don't send him to the wolves!

Make sure first that they legaly can force you to make alternative arrangements. I'm not sure about the laws, you can find out easily enough by calling the rent tribunal.

Yeah, I second that!
Where I'm from, they can't make you get rid of Harry with just one complaint. And you Australians are supposed to be all rugged and such. Unless I'm not getting Harry's propere scale... I don't see what you guys are complaining about. The next time I swing by, I'll sneak into your neighbours - each one of them - and pee in their morning coffees.

Honey, I don't think that what they're doing is legal. Call a lawyer and ask for advice. Check out your lease. Toss up a prayer to the Big Guy. I think you can probably still keep Harry if you find a loophole somewhere.

((hugs)) Oh, my poor Miss Shauny.

Well, Harry hasn't been declared dangerous, as he? I mean, shit, I don't know the full circumstances, so I don't have any ideas. :( It does sound, however, that one of your neighbours is a snob (as it seems from that traumatic moving in thing) and maybe looking for a reason to get rid of you, not just your dog.

Anyway, you might have to check the lease and get in touch with the owners. It's up to them in the end, not some fascist neighbour. At least try to get the agent on side...

All's not lost yet. Demand explanations! Keep fighting it! But I'm sorry you're crying.

Well, you have to at least find out what they are complaining about...take it from there. Good luck. Hugs to you and Harry.

Oh no Shauny, that's awful news. I second all the calls to fight the bastards: explore every legal avenue, dig your heels in, and thoroughly piss off every one of your neighbours if you must, because Harry is a better friend to you than they are. Good luck.

And another one with the seconding - you fight those buggers as best you can, Shauny.. *hug*

Hmm. Further thoughts: 'please confirm that action has been taken regarding the dog' and that 'alternative arrangements have been made'...'Dear Agent, I confirm that action has been taken regarding the dog [thinks: I posted about him to wnp] and that alternative arrangements have been made [thinks: I will ensure that dog and all his effects are out of the house on inspection days]. Yours, etc.'

If it weren't for the nosy neighbours, it just might work...

Don't give up Shauny. I don't believe what they are doing can be right. If there was some big glaring thing about "no pets" in the lease, you would have noticed it, right? Like everyone else said, check it out. My fingers are crossed for you.

Oh Shauna, we have yet only begun to fight.

The Tenants' Advice Service (ph: 6247 2011 between 9.30 and 1) is your avenging angel, the Residential Tenancies Act 1997 their flaming sword, and your lease their shield.

You call them tomorrow (for they are most lovely and well-informed people) and they will guide you on the path of truth and justice.

Unless you've got a "No Pets" clause in your lease. Then you're probably fucked.

(I had to do this for my sister a year or two ago. Check out )

Oops.

As has already been advised, check various government/local council bodies as regards what you can be forced to do, and what your options are. Check for a "no pets" clause, as suggested, and figure it out from there. It's worth noting that if they've made a complaint and you're forced to make changes, there's probably a time-period attached to it by law. Since you didn't get the initial letter, detailing the beef that they have, then you can probably claim this as first notice and go from there. Or, rather, you can claim that the problem has not been drawn to your attention in writing and therefore you don't have to worry about making changes write away. Unless there's some sort of legal "you must do this" thing attached, they can go fuck 'emselves. And you can get advice from people who actually know their shit, instead of just halfwits like me.

We had a deadshit neighbour in Sydney, always complaining about noise, and us cutting down a tree (that had the council permit and everything.). A true deadshit. Until, of course, Dad caught him playing peeping-Tom with some binoculars to the houses over the road. No complaints since. Perhaps you have some similarly-diggable dirt?

Chin up, S. I'm sure Harry's not goin' anywhere just yet.

Shauny, don't you go giving up; some people are just miserable bastards who don't like to see fresh faces in the neighbourhood.

Give 'em what for!

It's obvious that you need a hug.

*pause*

Oh, all right, I'll do it myself. *hugs Shauny*

:o)

Don't stand for this nonsense (the get-rid-of-harry nonsense, not the hugs-for-shauny nonsense, I mean) - I don't believe they can make you give him up (without a figh), and anyway, you at least deserve to know what he's done to warrant a complaint!

This sounds dicey and not at all right to me. Give 'um hell.

what do they know. How rude. Sorry to hear that. hmmpt.

FIGHT! Give'm a good fight. I think it's worth the try. I don't know about the over there but I know that around here (Quebec) this would never hold legally. FIGHT! Please fight.

If Harry stays in his own yard, bounces around like a NORMAL DOG does, doesn't bark all night / bite at anyone, then WHAT is their problem?

My one question: is it at all possible for you to make Harry an indoor dog?

Otherwise, I'm with everyone else - 'screw em!' Fight this with all you can because you're right, this is SO not fair!

It fascinates me how people just expect you to evict your pet like it's a vile substance on the bottom of your shoe. My pets are family members, as I expect Harry is to you! I think you should fight all out.

You don't deserve it, and equally, neither does Harry.. The poor sod.

(How did he take the news?)

fuck em - there should be a clause in your lease which states that you have a dog, that the owners were aware of it prior to your taking occupancy. They can stick it up their fundament. Unless Harry's been barking a lot, and AT LEAST THREE SEPARATE PEOPLE have complained to the council they don't have a legal leg to stand on. Stick it out, Shauny Prawny - we're all with you.

same as everyone else miss shauny. check your lease carefully for a 'no pets' clause. this is probably the most important thing. if the it's not there, the agent, nor landlord can really do anything. also, as others have said, call the dept. of fair trading (that's who looks after this stuff in nsw) and talk to them about it.

good luck, darlin'. i'm sure everything will work out.

much love and hugs. a. xxx

ooh. OOH. Those bastards. I'm with you, Shaun-Dawg, and I know people in this town. No one important, but it's nice to have friends. If there's anything you need - vodka, beer, wine, etc. I'm here for ya.

Fight baby, fight. And if you lose, I will happily babysit Harry for you for as long as you need, because he will always be yours.

PS Sir will teach him to come when he's called.

Deal with them Peter Clyne style. Lose their phone number and refuse to communicate with them other than by mail. State this quite clearly, that from now on all communications must be in writing due to legal advice you have received (which i just gave you). Write them back and ask them which dog they are referring to, which house etc? A few weeks later write back something unintelligible about the dog being a theraputic animal under the disabilities services act (or some similar piece of legislation). When that doesn't work, write back and say that your friend Ben is going to look after him when he gets out of the mental hospital in 10 days. Meanwhile don't do a damn thing. If any of the neighbours say anything you'll know who to blame. Hopefully you can stall them for 6-12 months or more before they try anything, even then they may not have any recourse. If they take you to the residential tribunal (however described) apply for legal aid and get an adjournment. Don't worry, you won't get it but then you can appeal the refusal of legal aid. Should get you another 3-6 months. You can get your MP to write them a letter too, or write one yourself on his or her behalf and send it on appropriately official looking letterhead.