Dear St. Clare Homeowner,

The St. Clare Board of Directors has received several complaints recently regarding homeowners allowing their dogs off the leash and dog waste.  In some of these complaints, dogs are reported to be attacking pedestrians and other dogs.

Article 2.6 of the Covenants, Conditions & Restrictions (CC&R) require that “Animals must be either kept in an enclosed area or on a leash held by a person capable of controlling the animal. Each Person is liable for any unreasonable noise and for damage to person or property caused by any animal brought or kept on the Properties by such Person.  Each Person shall clean up after such Person’s animals. . .”

Additionally, the Santa Clarita Municipal Code Ordinance 8.32.010 requires all dogs to be on a leash and further specifies “No person owning or having charge, care, custody or control of any dog shall cause, permit or allow the same to be or to run at large upon any highway, street, lane, alley, court, or other public place, or upon any private or premises other than those of the person owning or having charge, care, custody or control of such dog in the City, unless such dog be restrained by a substantial chain or leash not exceeding six feet in length and is in the charge, care, custody, or control of a competent person.” (Ord. 91-29, 3/13/91).  Additionally, section 8.40.010, paragraph “D”, states that “all animals shall be so maintained as to eliminate excessive and nighttime noise”.  Finally, paragraph “E” states that “no animals shall be without attention more than twelve consecutive hours”.

It is also more difficult to pick up after your dog when it is loose and out of your control. Both the CC&R’s and City Ordinances prohibit pet owners and/or custodians from allowing any dog or other animal in their care to deposit feces on another’s property and neglecting to remove it.

The bottom line is please be mindful of your responsibilities as a pet owner and as a good neighbor.  All pets must be kept on leashes at all times for the safety of everyone in the community and all pet owners must clean up after their pets waste.

As a homeowner, being in non-compliance of the governing CC&R’s by allowing your dog to be outside of your residence without a leash and/or depositing feces on another’s property or common area will result in you being called to a hearing in front of the board and potential fines being levied to your account.

The St. Clare Board of Directors