Is Arizona going to the dogs?

Scott Mitzner

Submitted photo/Scott Mitzner

OPINION — It appears our lawmakers want to take our rights to control pet ownership in our HOA communities. (Arizona lawmakers work to keep HOAs from dog discrimination, by Howard Fischer).

I feel Republicans and MAGA have betrayed us. The U.S. Constitution Article 1, Section 10 and the Arizona Constitution Article 11, Section 25 forbid laws that limit our right to freely contract with each other. HOA residents agree to live under their own pet rules; that is our right.

In my 50 years of legal experience, I found that lawmakers don’t care about our pets; they care about real estate investors who want to take senior citizens’ homes.

Big dogs frighten many older frail seniors, and lawmakers know it. One big dog could control senior voters in a whole building. A big dog jumping on a frail senior to give them a kiss can knock down them down, breaking a hip, shoulder or wrist.

Lawmakers are creating an expensive, complicated legal hell for Arizona HOAs. In some states, HOAs avoid the pet controversy by banning all pets.

Legislators have no respect for reasonable people, in my opinion. 

Finally, I share my years of pet foster care experience. My neighbors aid elderly and frail senior dog owners by walking their dogs and helping them. Many pets are surrendered by transients who lost their pet care network of friends and family when they moved to Arizona.

The cost of pet veterinary care and feeding is outrageous. Pet owners do not have the extra cash. Many adults are working longer hours and two jobs with no time for their pets.

I believe lawmakers are attacking HOAs when landlords are the big problem. One barking dog or pet owner who does not clean up dog poo can run off good tenants.

Our lawmakers must make responsible accusations based in fact against HOAs.

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