Friend in trouble - need help
 

Okay, I have this friend who lives in a condo unit. The unit doesn't allow pets under bylaw. Despite this, and against all better judgment, she picked up a stray from the cold with the intent to take it to the humane society.

Long story short, she got attached to the cat, couldn't bear to take it to the humane society (she was afraid it would have gotten put down), and now she's facing a $6500 fine.

Assuming she's gotten rid of the cat, is there anyway she can fight this? I'm really hoping someone can chime up on this. That fine is a make it or break it in her life and I'm insanely worried about her.

Thanks in advance.

Hi Albert..

Where did the random number of $6500 come from....seems extremely steep...I woud guess $250 .....

I'm no lawyer, but unless there is a loophole somewhere, this person *may* only be able to minimize their loses.

I am assuming that she owns the Condo?
is there a stated fine in the condo agreement?

I believe there is some kind of fine print. I'll have to check into that.

Anyway, the $6500 comes from a rather convoluted situation.

A couple months ago, she took a cat for her friend to babysit for a couple days. That was a clean "came and gone" situation. However, in the two days that it was there, someone spotted in the window. At that point, she got a warning for having the cat. When it came down to it, she didn't have a cat, but was then liable for a $50/day fine if there was ever a cat found on her residence.

Now this happens.

I know it was a poor decision, but it's a bit beyond lamenting about bad choices now, I'm just desperate to find this poor girl a bit of help.

The whole thing sounds ridiculous. From what you've said it sounds like she did the animal a great service by temporarily adopting it and providing it much needed shelter and care.

Whoever snitched on her deserves some serious karmic retribution. The snitch should have spoke to her directly, maybe there was mitigating circumstances about the cat's presense that the snitch didn't know about.

At $50 a day, $6500 is 130 days worth of cat time....

So what is happening with the cat now? Where is it?

She should really take a close look at her Tenant's Agreement. Things can get complicated if the condominium corporation has its own bylaws that govern things like no-pet clauses, etc. The issue may not even be the landlord's, but the condo corporation's. These facts would be good to know.

I'm unsure as to the $6500 amount. It seems rather arbitrary. Who is telling her this is what she must pay and why? Was this number included in the "fine print"? If anything, I would think she would be served an eviction notice (at a minimum of 14 days, not including the day of notice or the day of eviction).

Try calling Service Alberta (1-877-427-4088).

It's still at her house while she figures out what to do with it.

But yeah, that's pretty ridiculous. From there til now, she was fined for all the days in between.

Anyway, Neal, forgot to answer your question; yes, she does own the unit, but it's part of an apartment-style condo complex.

Will do, thanks Drew!

I would say she should speak to a lawyer, and have all her pertinent documents ready (purchase agreement, etc.). She can try the laywer referal and get a couple hours of free legal aid/services.