The fight continues.. Harley vs Sheffield Homes.

[Girlytrude 10]

I really feel for you. My situation is different in that my dogs are what keeps me mentally well, as opposed to a physical illness.

 

I own my home, but jointly with my ex and at some point I may have to sell (not by choice). I have a lifetime mental health problem which is well controlled and I cope with ok, having learned to adjust my life aorund what I'm capable of. However, my dogs are my life, and without them to have pulled me through a crisis 4 years ago I wouldn't now be here. If I lost my home and had to find rented and could not take my dogs, my life would not be worth living. I'd rather buy a mobile home and just keep driving round the country parking in laybys each night if it meant it was the only way I could keep my dogs.

 

I hope you find a way to keep Harley within the restrictions of the law, that keeps both parties happy. XX

[Nik Nak 10]

Unfortunately moving is not an option as I have had to reduce my work hours in order to be able to work around my daughter's nursery provision (unfortunately this has also meant any extra training for Harley has had to stop, I'm working on things in my own time but I can't afford to pay for classes anymore). I can't sell my current property as it's in negative equity and even if I did sell it I couldn't get a new mortgage at the moment. Everything has gone to hell this past year. The whole point of me having Harley is to prevent injury or loss of life to either myself or my daughter, he does this job admirably, training or not. If I can get him to the stage where he can progress to training under Hypo Alert Dogs UK then believe me, he will signed straight up for it. However until my financial situation improves his training has had to become a DIY effort. Why this should matter when he does the job anyway I have no idea, the only thing the qualification would change is me being allowed to take him into shops and my work.

 

The benefits of dog ownership for people with Diabetes is well documented and I have letters from medical personnel who specialise in Diabetes supporting me being allowed to keep him in order to help me manage my Diabetes.

Edited January 8, 2011 by Nik Nak

[Ha3el 10]

if the dogs official training certificates etc would improve your standing to keep both dog and home, would it be worth taking a loan out to get this completed? That way you have something more official to back you up that the dog is trained and a requirement. Thing is you may know his worth, but how do you prove that to other people and where do they draw the line, other people could say same thing just to keep a family pet if you see what i mean.

 

taking out a loan probably isnt great if you are already tight for money, but might be something to look at if you truly believe your dog is matter of life and death. or, is there any way you can claim any help with funding to train him?

[Smack Jack 10]

Can I check what they do to you NikNak. I have always had flats and am getting another currently. I havent flouted the most have on pets but I have often wondered exactly what the hell anyone can do about it if you do decide to keep a pet? After all you own the flat right?

Edited January 8, 2011 by Smack Jack

[mardyarse 10]

even within blocks of flats with a common entrance and communal areas eg sheltered housing tenants are allowed to keep dogs as pets as long as none of the other tenants object so presumably other tenants must have raised an objection, i know this to be the case with sheffield homes as i took voluntary redundancy from them last year

if you would like to pm me with more details and tell me who youre dealing with maybe a little inside info may help with your fight to keep your dog

[Nik Nak 10]

One objection has been raised. Ironically by a couple who are drug dealing out of the property (Sheffield Homes are aware of this but have chosen to ignore these complaints). Out of 9 flats within the block 2 of these have expressly stated they feel safer knowing Harley is here, 2 others also own dogs, 1 has stated (after the incident involving the thugs smearing crap all over the halls) that he approves of Harley being able to alert me to anything like that so that perhaps the idiots can be caught and the others have changed so many times I have no idea who they even are anymore other than a few of them get very drunk and run up and down the stairs anytime from midnight until 3am atleast twice a week.

[Smack Jack 10]

One objection has been raised. Ironically by a couple who are drug dealing out of the property (Sheffield Homes are aware of this but have chosen to ignore these complaints). Out of 9 flats within the block 2 of these have expressly stated they feel safer knowing Harley is here, 2 others also own dogs, 1 has stated (after the incident involving the thugs smearing crap all over the halls) that he approves of Harley being able to alert me to anything like that so that perhaps the idiots can be caught and the others have changed so many times I have no idea who they even are anymore other than a few of them get very drunk and run up and down the stairs anytime from midnight until 3am atleast twice a week.

 

Do you own the flat or is it rented?

[Nik Nak 10]

I own it. Worst decision I ever made.

[Smack Jack 10]

I own it. Worst decision I ever made.

 

So please tell me what exactly are they doing to you for keeping a pet in a home you own. I am aware of the rules but I always thought rather like restrictive covenants in employment contracts (ie we'll train you to do a job but forbid you to do it for anybody else) that they basically were beyond reinforcement?

[Fishpole 10]

I haven't read any previous threads about Harley so know little of the history and training that has happened. From what I've read here, you have been paying privately for his training and I wondered whether you had contacted Support Dogs to see whether they are able to offer any help, advice or support. It's a Sheffield based charity that could be worth contacting http://www.support-dogs.org.uk/index.htm

 

It's a dreadful situation by the sounds of it and I'm sure you would jump at the chance to relocate if that were financially possible. Fingers crossed for a positive outcome for you and Harley. Good luck!

[Nik Nak 10]

One of the first things I did was contact them, they couldn't help as they don't work with support dogs for Diabetes. There's only one company in the UK that does.

 

As for what they can do, I have no idea. Right now they're applying for an injunction to force me to get rid of him. Whether they can take my home from me when it's bought and (kind of) paid for I have no idea. They're certainly willing to try.

[Smack Jack 10]

One of the first things I did was contact them, they couldn't help as they don't work with support dogs for Diabetes. There's only one company in the UK that does.

 

As for what they can do, I have no idea. Right now they're applying for an injunction to force me to get rid of him. Whether they can take my home from me when it's bought and (kind of) paid for I have no idea. They're certainly willing to try.

 

Im interested for my own part as to what they can do. Thats pretty awful for you on the whole I hope you get away with it. I remember one place I lived a couple of people got cats and there were huge arguments left right and centre started by a pair of gays who didnt want to see and gardens scratched at by a cat, they also claimed that they might go on cars and scratch them. They are cats for gods sake. People have cats. And dogs. I guess a big nasty barking dog though isnt ideal in a flat but if its some quiet little camp thing then whats the harm? Or even big and quiet I cant see the big deal. Some people are just sticklers for the rules