Recently I was in New York. In a city that practically defines the word overcrowded, people kept dogs, cats, lizards, whatever kind of pet you can imagine in their rented apartments. I saw a man who kept a full-size pitbull in his eighth floor apartment. He was a total fool, but it’s amazing that his landlord even allowed him to do this in the first place.

If landlords in New York City (New York City landlords are generally considered the lowest form of life in existence) are willing to allow their tenants to take on pets, then what does it say about the majority of Jasper landlords who do not?

It means most landlords here are more strict.

Sure, cats and dogs wreck things. Landlords here don’t want to get stuck with the bill of repairing stained carpets and scratched doors and walls. These are reasonable concerns, especially given Jasper’s high turnover rates. 

But these restrictions seem heavy handed. The good thing is, they can be overcome - with the help of your local landlord of course. 

Those who want to keep a pet should sign a no shorter than a year lease for the apartment and should pay a specific ‘pet damage deposit’ for the privilege of keeping an animal. Five hundred dollars seems reasonable. When a tenant moves out, if the pet did no damage, the money comes back. If the animal caused some destruction, then the landlord keeps the $500.

Obviously, keeping a dog as big as a German Shepherd in a one bedroom apartment suite is not good for anyone. Damage of more than $500 is likely to the apartment and the dog is going to suffer (quite frankly though, that shouldn’t be the concern of your landlord -- I need a landlord who fixes my shower when it’s broke, not one who tells me what I should and shouldn’t do). That’s why landlords could operate some sort of a screening process for bringing in dogs (cats should just be automatically allowed) of a certain size. If the dog is too big, then it shouldn’t be allowed. 

Boston Terriers, spaniels, schnauzers, and a whole host of medium size and small dogs could be happy in a regular, two bedroom apartment. Of course, you have to walk your pooch several times a day and give it plenty of full days outside on the trails whenever possible and permissible (always keep your dog away from caribou habitats and on a leash when on the trails). Many people in Jasper would be more than willing to do this.

At the same time, sadly, there’s probably plenty of people who say they would do this, but who wouldn’t. 

That’s not your landlord’s problem.

We live in an area renowned for its proximity and harmony with the great outdoors. It’s the perfect place (or better than New York City at least) to go out running or hiking with a dog where you can. Jasper is already an expensive place to live. The fact that many landlords prevent people from having a pet just doesn’t seem fair. 

DISCLAIMER: The Last Word is an opinion column, it is meant to provoke thought and debate. As such, any opinions written here are the writers own and do not reflect the viewpoint of any other Fitzhugh staff member or the directors of the Jasper Media Group Inc.