Complex changes pet policy, some residents will have to move

Estimated read time: 2-3 minutes

This archived news story is available only for your personal, non-commercial use. Information in the story may be outdated or superseded by additional information. Reading or replaying the story in its archived form does not constitute a republication of the story.

Amanda Butterfield reportingA large, low income apartment complex on West Temple is changing its policy to prohibit household pets, and some residents aren't happy. Residents have a choice: get rid of the pet or find a new place to live.

It's a big hassle for one resident who specifically moved into the Townegate Apartments because his giant schnauzer would be allowed.

Complex changes pet policy, some residents will have to move

Coltrane has worn out his welcome at the Townegate Apartments. When the lease is up, Coltrane and his owner will be moving out. His owner was in school when we dropped by, so we spoke with his girlfriend, Jillian Cruz, who spends a lot of time here with her dog. Cruz said, "We got a letter on the door saying he couldn't have pets anymore after his lease is up, and his lease is up in about three to four months."

Coltrane and his owner lived at the apartment complex for a couple months, now they've got to find somewhere else to live, a place that will allow big dogs. Cruz says, "It's very difficult. I think it's bogus."

Amanda also lives at the Townegate Apartments. She doesn't have a pet and says she isn't going to miss the animals too much. She says, "I thought it was a good thing because a lot of people around here have big dogs and they make a ton of noise. They're constantly barking."

We asked Suzanne Applegate, the vice president of management for the apartments, why the change? She said, "We conducted a resident survey to all of our residents, and a strong majority of our residents' response back to us is they would like to see us implement a new change in our current pet policy."

The big reason is the mess being left on the grounds. Folks living at the apartment complex were tired of dodging it. Amanda notices it too. She said, "It's not very clean and tidy by the people who own the pets. They don't clean up after them."

Cruz said, "I don't know what we're going to do."

Management says they have given plenty of notice to residents with pets about the new policy, and they are willing to help residents with pets find new housing if they choose to leave.

E-mail: abutterfield@ksl.com