Dear Ms. Demeanor: What do you say to a couple whose dog pees in the lobby?
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There is a couple in our building who look the other way when their golden retriever pees in the lobby on his way out of the building. The doormen have to clean it up. I find this completely outrageous. What would you say to them?
Signed, Pet Peeved
Dear Peeved,
Unless that dog is peeing on your kitchen floor, you really cannot say anything to them. This is between the owners and the doormen. My guess is that the union would not look kindly on a doorman cleaning up after a dog. So, if the owners don't clean up after themselves, and the staff doesn't do it, the board will have to be notified and they will be the ones to deal with the messy situation.
In my co-op building, dogs need to be approved prior to a shareholder moving in. In addition, any person buying a new dog must ask the board for approval. This allows the board to know how many dogs are in the building, and whether they are properly licensed and owned by the shareholders themselves. It also prevents any boarding-type of business from being conducted in our building. The staff knows which dog belongs to whom and any complaints may be directed to that person.
I advise you to watch your step until this gets sorted out.
Ms. Demeanor
Dianne Ackerman is the new voice of reason behind Ms. Demeanor. She has lived in her Upper East Side co-op for the past 20 years and is the vice president of her co-op board. She is filled with opinions that she gladly shares with all who ask—and some who do not. Have something that needs sorting out? Drop her an email.
