› Flat Chat Strata Forum › From the Front Page › Pet ban shock as Appeals Court erases by-laws › Current Page
She made enquiries and could not find ANY cases where people died or were seriously taken down by a pet allergy.
What about this girl who couldn’t get help for her dog-triggered asthma attack in time? However, I assume Ms Cooper was talking about finding no cases in strata, and I don’t doubt it.
If people have serious allergies that could have potentially life-threatening consequences, wouldn’t they live in pet-free buildings or a house?
By the way, one assistance animal is very different from a dozen dogs (which is about the number in my block) passing through common property and travelling in lifts.
She went on to say that people present with many allergies – nuts, dust, pollen, household chemicals. If by laws were to be equitable then all potential allergens should be banned from strata “in case” someone shows an allergic reaction.
The decision in MS Cooper’s case wasn’t about allergies. It was about a point of law that says you can’t have by-laws based on what MIGHT happen because of what an owner is doing in the privacy of their own home.
However, there are many offices that ban flowers, perfumes and peanuts (from their kitchens) because staff members are allergic.
I am pro-pet, but I think we will see changes in strata law in its next iteration, otherwise NCAT will be swamped with case-by-case challenges to by-laws that may or may not be valid (and I’m not talking about pets as that ship has sailed).
But strata laws will have to be fixed if we want people (like me) who love pets to be able to have them in their homes, and those who can’t be near animals, for either medical or religious reasons, or just personal choice, to be able to find strata communities where they can live happily without bothering anyone else.