Allowing dogs on-premises can increase the risk of injury to others and likelihood of property damage. With the proper guidelines and processes in place, however, you can help prevent incidents from happening. Review the following best practices to make sure you are taking the necessary precautions if you allow dogs on your property.
1. Require vaccination documentation: Vaccinations prevent the spread of disease and illness.
- Require that any dog on your property has the rabies vaccination and distemper (DA2PP) vaccination, which helps protect against hepatitis, parainfluenza and parvovirus
- Follow the recommendations of your local licensed veterinarian regarding other necessary vaccines
- Keep a physical copy of the immunizations for each dog and be aware of when they expire
2. Keep dog records: Maintain records of any resident or employee who has a dog at the insured location.
- Have a screening process in place prior to allowing a person to bring their dog onto your property
- Require an application to be completed by the dog owner that states the breed, age, size and behavioral history of the dog
- Ask for vaccination records and licenses
- Request to meet the dog to assess the pet’s behavior
3. Enforce leashing: It’s important to implement guidelines for tenants regarding leashing and supervising dogs.
- Include a pet policy in your leases that outlines dog owner responsibilities, including leashing and supervision in common areas
- Keep detailed notes and records of any issues that arise
- Have a policy in place to address any situation where a dog injures a person or causes property damage
4. Utilize video surveillance: Referencing video footage can be helpful in making sure tenants are compliant with any dog policies.
- Check security cameras as part of routine maintenance, and make sure the footage is clear, the connection is secure and that footage is being stored correctly
- If you’ve been notified of an incident, immediately obtain the appropriate footage
- Save footage in a way that is accessible, such as on a computer or a drive
- Keep in mind that any cell phone video may not be admissible evidence in a case
Be sure to talk to your insurance agent if you allow any dogs or pets at your property. As an insurance professional, they can help make sure you have the appropriate coverage in place.