Since July 2021, my task trained service dog and I have dealt with the issue of off-leashed and uncontrollable dogs that jump, lunge, bark, try to attack, and mount at my Medical K9 right outside our front door. These incidents have happened over 15 times and are well documented with the HOA, NJ Bias, Department of Justice, and the Jersey City Police Department through pictures and videos. After over a year of non-compliance with local leash laws and community rules, the police were engaged 2022. Prior to the police involvement, the off-leash dog owners were told several times that my dog is a Medical K9. The offenders were also sent violation letters that referenced ADA laws from our HOA. As a service dog handler and Experienced Based Dog Trainer, I called the police on September 23rd 2022 after I witnessed one of the owners of the uncontrollable dog unbuckling his dog's lead so his dog could run on the yard. The dog instead ran through the street, through parked cars, and started to run all around my service dog, barking at her and trying to mount her. I had to get a hold of the off-leash dog's harness as he had no recall training or basic obedience. The police issued a verbal warning to the offenders and advised me to call them should there be another incident. Instead of an apology or acknowledgement of any wrong doing to the police, they decided to bring up a petition for a dog park to be built right in-front of our house. On video, the police agree that that is not possible under ADA Federal Law for a dog park right next to where a Medical K9 resides as it counts as K9 and handler endangerment. The police agreed that my task trained service dog is as important as Police K9's in which they both save lives. At the end, they hugged me and told me not to worry. These occurrences have been detrimental to my health especially by causing medical episodes and preventing my task trained service dog to do her job in a safe environment. 

A few weeks later, the non-compliant neighbors filed a false complaint using MY ADDRESS. The police arrived at my house unexpectedly and were in favor of us, telling us for our safety to put up surveillance cameras as well as gave us a paper to show our HOA that these neighbors were not being neighborly, constantly harassing my family and I just because Animal Control was doing a community sweep. We already had cameras up because of many break ins in the community so they told us that was good after viewing the placement of them and to call the number they gave should there be anymore harassment or off-leash dogs. A month later, a large reactive off-leashed dog almost attacked my dog and I when we walked out of our front door which our surveillance camera caught. The dog almost ran into my house, I shut the door quickly before it could! I warned the owner that dogs must be on a leash and instead of abiding, they continued the practice so Animal Control was called once again. On January 15th 2023, some of the non-compliant neighbors are now continuing harassment by posting on a Facebook page anonymously because they were sent court papers, unaware that Facebook isn't really anonymous should you add in enough details for others to figure out the poster's identity. They are stating I am deathly allergic to dogs as a whole joke and lie since they obviously do not have my medical records, its ridiculous. How would I have a prescribed service dog if I was deathly allergic to dogs? They are also promoting I do not like dogs when I am one of the dog walkers and sitters in the community. I even helped retrieve a dead dog found floating in the water washing up onto our community so he could be put to rest. The harassment is happening solely because they got in trouble for breaking the law are being sent to court. Again, these neighbors were told several times she is a working dog. Keep in mind there is a bright blue ADA Federal Law sign posted on our house that states “Warning! Medical K9 on premises! All dogs must be leashed!” which they ignored. Even if a dog is off-leashed trained, the non-compliant owner would be promoting those with untrained dogs to follow suit in a non-pet friendly area right infront of residential housing. The behavior of some of these non-compliant neighbors is pure ABLEISM and it really showed in the ableist content they posted anonymously. These are GROWN MEN who disregard my medical conditions just because I am able-bodied and a young female. They had every opportunity to follow the law but instead they chose ableism and harassment. 

The Department of Justice, Animal Control, and New Jersey Bias Crimes Laws all have been informed of these many instances and are working to solve the problem of unleashed and non-compliant owners. Recently, they put up four "ALL Pets Must Be On A Leash" signs in the yard for our protection. The HOA informed me that the land is not associated with our complex and there is no reciprocity between the different communities. Therefore hypothetically, if a dog park were to be built in the proposed location, residents from our complex can not use it. Additionally, ADA federal law counts those who harass someone with a disability as a federal crime. One of the neighbors who frequently lets their dog off leash went as far as saying "Look its the service dog" to their dog in a mockery tone. "Maybe I can make you a service dog, nah you can't". That is like saying "Look at that wheelchair! I want to sit in it, nah I don't need to!"

If the practice of off-leash and uncontrollable dogs continues, working dogs, reactive or dog aggressive dogs, parents, children, and those who work from home will all be affected. K9s are not robots, they can still get scared or nervous with interactions as such and under federal law they are considered medical equipment. This is comparable to someone's dog chewing an inhaler. Law enforcement also agrees that letting dogs run around the street is negligence. They are currently investigating our ongoing case, cracking down the non-compliant and harassers. Dogs are allowed to walk in the yard, just need to be on a leash. 

The signers of this petition advocate to stop the dangers of off-leash uncontrollable dogs and the practice of harassment towards someone not only with a disability but those who deserve fair treatment of amenities. Signers support Task Trained Service Dogs, the Americans with Disabilities Act, Veterans with Dogs, Military K9s, Police K9s, Personal Protection K9s, Retired K9s, New Jersey leash laws, protection of those with reactive / dog aggressive dogs, child safety, noise control, and no dog fights or scattered dog feces. It is important to emphasize what has been going on as some neighbors may not be aware. My Medical K9 and I have always advocated for Service Dogs and the ADA Federal Laws. We are so very sorry for those who have had similar issues whether in this community or from afar. With over 121 thousand followers, 45 million views, and 5.5 million likes from our fans, let’s protect our sweet working girl!

Thank you always from the bottom of our hearts for your support during this difficult time. It truly has been an exhausting two years.