LEXINGTON, Ky (LEX 18) Dog breed restrictions are a common practice for apartments and other rental properties, but residents in one Kentucky neighborhood are now fighting against new rules for their homes on their own property.
About a dozen different breeds have now been banned from the McConnell’s Trace community, even though many of the people living there own their property.
"I think it’s not very, let’s say, neighborhood friendly," said McConnell’s Trace homeowner Tom Dobbs.
The neighborhood’s developer, Anderson Communities, sent out a letter last week alerting residents that a change in the deed restrictions meant that German Shepherds, Pit Bulls (including American Staffordshire Terriers, American Pit Bull Terriers, Staffordshire Bull Terriers, or "any dog containing characteristics of these breeds"), Huskies, Rottweilers, Mastiffs, Doberman Pinschers, Alaskan Malamutes, Chows, Great Danes, St. Bernards, and Akitas are now prohibited.
Pets already living in the neighborhood are grandfathered in, but many homeowners are outraged by the surprise letter, partially because it included the Homeowner’s Association Board.
"The developers and the board elected to further amend the deed restrictions," said Carrie Somervill with the Homeowner’s Association Board.
Somervill told LEX 18 that even though she has been on the board for the past two years, she didn’t know anything about these changes until she received the letter along with all of her neighbors. Somervill said that only the HOA President and Vice President knew about the potential changes.
"Since this letter came out, three of us other four members have decided to resign from the board," she said. Somervill said that she is staying with the intent of seeing these new restrictions reversed. "I think it’s going to be harder to sell lots to people knowing they can’t have certain pets."
LEX 18 reached out to the HOA President and Vice President, as well as Anderson Communities. They were not immediately available for comment.
"I just didn’t think it was right. I love animals and it doesn’t seem like that’s, even legality wise I don’t know where they’re coming from," said Dobbs.
