Couple claim they are being bullied by ‘unreasonable’ neighbours after their beloved cavoodle Toby was banned from the building

  • Owners of a puppy have been told they can’t keep the pooch by body corporate 
  • They argue they are being bullied as other apartment owners are allowed dogs
  • Body corporate commissioner will decide the verdict on Toby in coming months

By Tita Smith For Daily Mail Australia

Published: 02:43 BST, 20 October 2019 | Updated: 02:43 BST, 20 October 2019

A couple have claimed they are being bullied by ‘unreasonable neighbours’ after their pet dog was been banned from the building.

 Kurt Leopard and Hannah Lane purchased their Palm Beach apartment , in Gold Coast, last year believing the building was ‘pet friendly’. 

But members of of the Palm Gables body corporate have now blocked them from having their pet cavoodle Toby in the apartment despite other owners being allowed dogs.   

But members of of the Palm Gables body corporate have now blocked them from having their pet cavoodle Toby in the apartment despite other owners being allowed dogs.

But members of of the Palm Gables body corporate have now blocked them from having their pet cavoodle Toby in the apartment despite other owners being allowed dogs. 

Toby’s case, which was rejected by committee members in June, has been taken higher to the Body Corporate Commissioner, Gold Coast Bulletin reports.  

His owners argue they are being ‘treated unfairly and bullied’ by the ruling as many other animals have already been accepted.  

However, committee members have stated they ‘don’t want to live in a complex full of dogs’ and believe each case should be assessed individually. 

The verdict is expected to be delivered in coming months, during which time Toby is permitted on the property under strict conditions.

Before it was appealed,  the committee suggested that all owners of the 24-unit complex should vote on the puppy’s fate. 

Pre-existing bylaws have enabled occupants to have pets- with the first application processed in 2001. 

Toby's case, which was rejected by committee members in June, has been taken higher to the Body Corporate Commissioner (stock image)

Toby's case, which was rejected by committee members in June, has been taken higher to the Body Corporate Commissioner (stock image)

Toby’s case, which was rejected by committee members in June, has been taken higher to the Body Corporate Commissioner (stock image)

The owner’s were told by body corporate chairman, Mr Cullen, via email in May, that he didn’t want dogs overcrowding the living space. 

‘I am not going to be involved in an email war in relation to this. The fact is I don’t want to live in a complex full of dogs,’ he wrote to Mr Leopard.

‘The committee voted and the decision is what it is. If you want to take this to the next level then that is your prerogative.’ 

It is believed another couple living in the block are also battling to hold onto their canine.

According to the Queensland Government website, bylaws outline whether occupants must seek permission for pets.

The Body Corporate and Community Management Act 1997 states by-laws must not discriminate between types of occupiers.

 

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