Dog catcher called me wanting to know how to get in touch with one of my tenants.

Seems like tenants dog had gotten loose and was down the road. Dog was friendly. Catcher petted the dog. Then went to pick it up and dog bit the catcher. Stupid catcher.

Sooo I am updating my lease something sorta like.

If you have your dog outside then it must be enclosed inside a fenced area whereby it can not get out. If dog is not in an enclosed fenced area then dog must be on a like new METAL leash of at least 3/8 inch diameter and have a collar that is one inch (maybe 1 ¼ or 1 ½) inch wide and 3/8 inch thick.

These sizes will be determined from your input and from information I get from a Vet’s office. Maybe sizes would depend on the size – weight of the dog. A tea cup size dog doesn’t need restraining equipment like a 120 pound Alaska husky needs.

Help with wording needed.

How does the dog catcher know who the dog's owner's LL is?

How does the dog catcher get your phone number?

way too much micromanaging.

are you going to go up to the dogs and measure their collars?

I agree, way too much micromanaging. Sometimes dogs get loose, happens to the best of us. They can slip a good collar. It isn't your concern if it is off your property. The thing you get into is .. what if the collar is frayed, the chain is rusted, and what if the animal is great and you are subjecting it to unnecessary restraining.

My only concern with dogs in my units is I don't want them to bite someone on MY property. That is where I might be liable.

Ne (PA) I don’t want kennels either

David (MI) How does he know. I live in a town of about 400 (people and dogs). Mostly dogs I think. I am on the city council. The house is next to where I live. I own 8 others properties in this megatropolis. We have one convenience store / gas station where EVERYONE gets info on everyone else. As to the phone number. I have the phone number to the mayor, city clerk, chief of police, police officer, dog catcher, some of the school board members. And they have mine. Good or bad you can not hide in a two street down.

Nicole. No I am not going to measure collars. But as Brad and Sid say “make your lease crystal clear”.

Linda (NY) That’s why I would want a newer chain. So the rust wouldn’t restrain the dog unnecessarily.

Thanks to all for replying.

Still too much micro managing. If you feel the need to put something in writing, just say the dog must be either penned, leashed or under control of the owner at all times. Again that should only be on your property, if the dog is off your property it isn't your issue.

Keep in mind, if you are asking the tenant to provide a fenced area - can they fence the yard, how high does the fence have to be, does it have to have fencing overhead? Will a kennel be acceptable? - - not really great for a dog, I certainly would not want a kennel on my rental. How about an invisible fence, training/shock collar?

A metal leash? Where do I get one of those? If you must specify, just say a sturdy collar and a sturdy leash no longer than 6 feet long.

A 1 inch collar is plenty. I have a 3/4 inch collar on Scooter, my 70 lb lab.